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George  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


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THE  CHATHAM  ARTlLLEllY 


OF     SAVANNAH 


MAY  1,  1861. 
Published  vh  coupuANqg  with  a  liEsoLmoN  adopted  bv  the  Corps. 


%o(  rntm  srntto,  niei  in  bonis,  amicitiam  tssr  non  possr.    lipea  birtus  amiiitiam 
Ofgnit  tt.  (onttnrt,  net  eint  birtutt  resr  amicitia  uUo  parto  poUet. 
Kirtus,  birtus  fnquam,  conriliat  amicilias  tl  rongfrbat.  — Ciceeo. 


JOHN    M.   COOPER  AND   COMPANY 
1861. 


Tr.-R 


^vocccclincjis  of  the  Javi. 


The  first  of  May  being  the  Seventy-Fifth  Anni- 
versary of  the  Chatham  Artillery,  that  Company 
assembled  in  full  uniform,  at  the  Armory,  at  half-past 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Leaving  the  yard  at  ten  o'clock,  with  a  battery  con- 
sisting of  six  six-pounder  guns  and  two  twelve-pounder 
howitzers,  and  with  a  full  brass  band,  the  Corps  was 
marched  to  the  residence  of  Capt.  Joseph  S.  Claghorn 
in  South  Broad  Street,  where  a  beautiful  Confederate 
Flag  was  presented,  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the 
Wives  and  Daughters  of  the  Non-Commissioned  Offi- 
cers, by  Second  Lieutenant  Julian  IIartridge,  ac- 
companying the  presentation  by  the  following  address. 

Captaix  Claqhorx  Axn  Fellow  Soldiers 

OF  THE  Chatham  Artillery  : 
I  have  been  requested  to  present  to  you  this  Flag  as  a  gift  from  the 
Ladies  of  the  families  of  your  Non-Commissioned  officers.  At  all  tiroes 
and  under  any  circumstances,  the  performance  of  such  a  task  would  be 
most  grateful  to  my  feelings.  Even  were  you  citizen-soldiers  of  a 
country  upon  which  peace  and  prosperity  were  smiling,  and  within 
whose  borders  no  call  had  yet  resounded  to  arms  to  meet  an  invading 
foe  ;  even  were  this  banner  intended  simply  as  a  decoration  upon  festive 
occasion!*,  or  to  be  borne  by  you  only  amid  the  "pomp  and  pageantry  of 
mimu'  war:"  even  under  such  circumstances,  it  would  still  be  a  ■ouixw 

5(0  ^  c  -^  ^ 


4  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 

or  prido  to  mo,  to  \ye  the  clioscn  medium  of  transmitting  to  rou  an 
evidence  of  interest  in  your  welfare  and  desire  for  your  success. 

But  tliis  is  no  plaything  of  peace  that  I  am  commissioned  to  present. 
3'ou.  It  is  intended  to  subserve  a  higher,  a  holier,  a  more  solemn 
purpose.  It  is  entrusted  to  your  care  as  the  ensign  of  your  country's 
iionor,  to  l)e  borne  against  her  foes,,  and  to  bo  defended  from  disgrace 
with  tiie  same  zeal,  the  same  courage,  the  same  energy,  with  wliich 
you  would  protect  tlie  good  name  of  mother  or  sister. 

Tlie  fair  donors  have  chosen  as  your  banner,  the  ensign  of  a  nation 
which,  although  infant  in  age,  ha.s  yet  proudly  claimed  its  place  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  has  cxst  tlie  gauntlet  of  its  defiance  at  the 
feet  of  ita  foes.  Already  has  that  ensign  waved  amid  the  smoke  of 
battle  and  the  din  of  contending  forces ;  and  already  has  victory  perched 
upon  it  Even  now  thousands  of  your  cnuntrymen  are  gathering  around 
it,  leaving  homes,  and  wives,  and  everything,  to  die,  if  need  be,  in  its 
defence.  The  future  seems  to  promise  that  soon  you  too  will  bo  called 
on  to  bear  it  in  defence  of  home,  and  country,  and  honor.  Should  that 
time  come,  I  charge  you,  in  the  name  of  those  who  give  it,  to  remember 
how  sacred  is  the  charge  committed  to  your  care.  Remember  that  all 
the  incentives  wiiich  can  sway  the  heart  or  animate  the  soul  of  man, 
whether  of  love,  or  prido,  or  patriotism,  cluster  around  this  banner.  It 
is  the  representative  of  your  national  existence — the  protection  of  your 
domestic  safety  and  happiness — the  embodiment  of  tliat  pure  spirit  of 
patriotism,  which  "deems  a  stain  upon  one's  country  as  individual 
di^frace."  Above  all,  remember  that  although  the  tear  of  affection 
may  glisten  in  tlio  eye  of  woman  as  she  bids  you  farewell,  altliough 
her  cheek  may  pale,  and  her  lip  may  quiver  with  anxiety  and  appre- 
hension that  you  may  never  return — that  same  eye  will  flash  with  the 
fire  of  indignation,  tliat  same  clieok  will  mantle  with  the  bhish  of  shame, 
that  same  lip  will  curl  with  scorn  and  contempt,  should  yon  return  with 
the  flag  which  woman  gave  you  tarnished  by  disgrace. 

But  I  feel  no  fear,  nor  do  those  who  gave  it,  as  to  what  will  be  the 
fate  of  this  flag  in  your  liands.  I  look  back  through  the  history  of  your 
body,  and  I  find  in  the  past  everything  to  give  hope  and  confidence  in 
the  future.    I  look  upon  you  now  on  this,  your  seventy-fifth  anniversary, 


OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  5 

and  see  your  organization  more  powerful  tlian  ever,  and  animated  witli 
the  13rm  determination  never  to  disgrace  the  fair  fame  or  the  good  name 
of  the  Chatham  Artiller}^ 

To  you,  Captain  CLAGiroRN\  as  the  commanding  officer  of  this  Corps, 
I  commit  this  flag,  with  the  assurance  upon  the  part  of  tlie  donors,  of 
their  confident  belief  that  under  your  command,  although  time,  or  the 
elements,  or  the  smoke  of  battle  may  tarnish  the  materials  of  which  it 
is  composed,  the  honor  that  encircles  it  will  be  preserved  as  pure  and 
chaste,  as  when  entnisted  to  your  care. 

Capt.  Claghorn  upon  receiving  the  flag,  responded 
on  behalf  of  the  Company,  as  follows : 

LlECTE.VAXT  Hartridge  : 

It  becomes  my  pleasing  duty  on  behalf  of  our  fellow-soldiers,  to  accept 
at  your  hands,  as  the  representative  of  the  Fair  Donors,  this  beautiful 
Banner.  Permit  me  to  return  to  tbem  and  to  you,  our  heartfelt  thanks 
for  this  patriotic  manifestation  of  their  friendship,  this  marked  expression 
of  their  confidence  in  our  courage,  and  their  reliance  upon  our  devotion 
to  our  Country. 

Tell  them,  sir,  that  we  will  treasure  up  in  our  memories  the  kind 
words  and  wise  counsels  with  which  they  have  accompanied  its  presen- 
tation ;  and  when  the  struggle  comes,  as  soon  it  may,  when  upon  the 
battle-field,  weary  and  faint  with  the  strife  and  the  contest,  as  we  turn 
our  eyes  upon  its  bright  stars,  with  renewed  courage  and  strength,  wo 
will  with  one  defiant  shout,  strike  again  for  them,  our  homes,  and  our 
liberties. 

Fellow-Soldiers — The  Spartan  mother  when  she  sent  her  Bon  to  battle, 
gave  him  a  shield  with  this  parting  injunction,  "  either  mfh  U,  or  upon 
it'  It  is  with  the  same  sentiment  the  fair  Wives  of  our  Non-Commia- 
gioned  Officers  have  this  day  committed  to  your  charge  this  sacred  banner, 
the  chosen  symbol  of  a  new-bom  Republic,  just  struggling  into  exis- 
tence. Kre  its  bright  stars  or  spotless  field  be  polluted  by  the  ruthlew 
hand  of  the  destroyers  of  this  once  glorious  Union,  let  its  fiilken  folds 
enshroud  the  last  of  its  defenders  I 


6  SEVEXTY-Firrn  AXXiVKusAia'  • 

The  flag  was  then  saluted,  the  band  playing  the 
Marseilles  Hymn, 

The  ceremony  of  the  Presentation  and  Reception  of 
the  Flag  concluded,  the  Corps  proceeded  to  the  Athe- 
nu'um,  where,  in  the  presence  of  the  Company  occu- 
pying the  parquette,  and  of  a  large  concourse  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  the  following  prayer  was  offered  to 
Almighty  God,  by  the   Chaplain,  Private  "William  S. 

BOOAKT. 

Almighty  and  ever  lasting  God  I  tbat  rulest  all  things  by  Thy  Divine 
power  in  Ileaven  and  earth,  Thou  art  our  God,  and  we  will  praise 
Thee ;  Thou  hast  been  our  fathers'  God,  and  we  will  adore  Thee.  Thou 
iiast  not  dealt  witli  us  afler  our  sins,  nor  rewarded  us  according  to  our 
iniquities — else  had  we  been  consumed.  We  acknowledge  our  depend- 
ence upon  Thee,  and  our  obligations  to  Thee.  Wo  confess  our  sins ;  we 
deplore  our  transgressions;  and  we  invoke  Thy  forgiveness.  Let  not 
Thy  anger  rise  against  us,  nor  cast  us  off  from  Tiiy  favor  forever.  In 
tlio  midst  of  wrath,  0  Lord  I  remember  mercy.  Look  with  compassion 
upon  our  beloved  land,  rent  with  civil  war,  and  stay  the  evils  which 
beset  us.  Thou  sittest  in  the  throne,  judging  right;  judge,  we  pray 
Thee,  between  us  and  our  enemies.  Make  it  appear  that  Thou  art  our 
Saviour  and  Miglity  Peliverer.  Stir  up  Thy  strength,  0  Lordl  audcomo 
and  help  us,  for  thou  givest  nou  always  tiio  battle  to  the  strong,  but  canst 
save  by  many  or  by  few.     Bo  (heroforo,  our  Miglity  Defender. 

Wo  beseech  Thee,  0  God  I  with  Thy  especial  favor  to  behold  and 
bless  Thy  servant,  the  President  of  tlie  Confederate  States,  and  nil  others 
in  authority  over  us.  Give  them  wisdom  of  counsel,  integrity  of  pur- 
j)ose,  and  firmness  of  will  in  their  several  duties  and  stations.  Above 
all,  repleniKh  them  with  the  grace  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  they  may 
always  incline  to  Thy  will,  and  walk  in  Thy  way.  We  pray  too,  for  our 
representatives  in  the  Congress  now  assembled,  that  Thou  wouldst  be 
pleased  to  direct  and  prosper  all  their  consultations  to  the  advancement 
of  Thy  glory,  the  good  of  Thy  Church,  and  the  safety,  honor,  and  wel- 


OF   THE   CHATHAM   AKTILLEIIY.  7 

fare  of  Thy  people.  May  our  now  Confederacy  be  built  on  the  founda- 
tions of  private  virtue  and  public  morality,  consecrated  by  the  spirit  of 
religion  and  of  reverent  obedience  to  Thy  holy  will.  May  it  recognize 
Thee  as  the  source  of  all  its  prosperity,  and  the  giver  of  all  its  success. 
Thus  only  shall  it  be  to  us  and  oiir  children,  a  fountain  of  public  and 
private  blessings. 

And,  0  Eternal  God!  in  whose  inscrutable  providence,  we  have 
come  to  the  verge  of  civil  strife,  and  may  soon  stand  face  to  face  with 
the  dangers  of  battle,  receive,  we  beseech  Thee,  into  Thy  almighty 
protection,  the  persons  and  lives  of  us,  Thy  servants,  and  this  military 
body  in  which  we  serve.  Save  us  fronj  the  dangers  to  which  we  are 
exposed,  from  sickness,  from  accrident,  and  from  the  violence  of  enemies, 
that  we  may  be  a  safeguard  to  this  commonwealth,  and  a  security  to  its 
people.  Graciously  hear  us,  that  those  evils  which  the  craft  and  subtilty 
of  the  devil  or  man  worketh  against  us,  may  by  Thy  good  providence  be 
brought  to  naught.  Support  us  and  our  oause  under  the  heavy  troubles 
which  threaten  our  beloved  State.  Give  our  people  an  abiding  faith 
and  trust  in  Thee.  May  we  have  courage  to  resist  the  wrong,  and 
moral  strength  to  do  what  is  right.  May  truth,  justice  and  religion  be 
the  ruling  principles  of  our  hearts,  and  the  guides  of  our  lives. 
And  whether  in  peace  or  in  war,  may  we  all  obey  Thy  requirement  to 
do  justly,  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  our  God. 

And  now,  0  Heavenly  Father,  we  commit  our  cause,  our  fellow-cit- 
izens, our  families,  and  ourselves  to  Thy  holy  keeping.  Fit  us  to  hve 
to  Thy  honor  and  glory,  and  when  we  shall  have  served  Thee  in 
our  generation,  may  we  all  be  gathered  unto  our  fathers,  having  the 
testimony  of  a  good  conscience,  in  the  communion  of  the  Catholic 
Chorch,  in  the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith,  in  the  comfort  of  a  reason- 
able, religious,  and  holy  hope,  in  favor  with  Thee  our  God,  and  in 
perfect  charity  with  the  world.  These  things  and  all  elso  that  we  need, 
we  humbly  ask  through  the  merits  of  ftim,  whom  Thou  hast  given  to  be 
unto  ua  both  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  and  an  ensample  of  godly  life — Thy 
Son  JesuA  Christ,  our  Lord. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and  the 
fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  bo  with  ua  all  evermore.     Amen. 


8  FKVENTV-KIFTH    ANNIVEKSARY 

L'pou  iii'j  ."Mage  sat  the  Color  Guard,  Avith  the  Con- 
federate Flag  but  a  few  moments  before  presented  to 
the  Corps, — the  commissioned  officers  of  the  Chatham 
Artillcr}-, —  three  Ex-Captains  of  the  Company, —  Offi- 
cers of  the  Confederate  Army,  and  of  the  Volunteer 
Corps  of  the  City,  — and  a  number  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Savannah. 

The  j)rayer  was  followed  by  music  from  the  band 
occupying  the  orchestra;  after  which,  the  following 
Oration  was  pronounced  by  First  Lieutenant  Charles 
C.  Jones,  Jr.,  the  Orator  of  the  Day. 


©vatiott. 


Fellow-Soldiers  : 

Seventj'-five  years  -with  all  their  hopes  and  fears, 
fortunes  and  misfortunes,  pleasures  and  sorrows,  have 
been  gathered  within  the  enfolding  arms  of  an  inex- 
orable Past,  and  the  Chatham  Artillery  still  lives;  not 
in  the  decrepitude  of  age,  and  the  weakness  of  decay, 
but  in  the  noon-tide  of  prosperity,  and  in  all  the  fresh- 
ness and  vigor  of  a  matured,  established  manhood. 
Three  quarters  of  a  century  ago,  few  in  numbers,  but 
brave  in  heart,  and  animated  with  pure,  noble,  and 
patriotic  impulses,  our  organization  had  its  birth.  To- 
day, upon  our  muster  roll  of  active  members,  appear 
the  names  of  ninety  fresh-lipped  men,  good  and  true, 
mindful  of  the  obligations  which  devolve  UDon  them 
as  members  of  society,  and  alive  to  the  responsibilities 
which  they  have  assumed  as  citizen  soldiers.  Our 
burnished  battery  gleams  brightly  in  the  morning  sun, 
and  our  crimson  plumes  are  nodding  gaily  in  the  soft 
airs  of  Spring. 

Our  bosoms  beating  high  with  honest  pride,  with 
friendship  for  each  other,  and  with  a  sincere  devotion 
to  the  honor,  the  dignity,  and  the  every  interest  of  our 
Company,  we  are  met  to  celebrate  the  Sevexty-Fifth 
Anniversary  of  our  time-honored   Corps  —  a  Corps 

B 


10  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNTVERSARY 

surviving  the  shocks  and  changes  incident  to  volunteer 
militar}'  organizations, — maintaining  since  its  inception 
a  permanent,  uninterrupted,  active  existence, — perform- 
ing at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  with  alacrity,  with  zeal 
and  with  ability,  the  duties  which  have  devolved  upon 
it,  and  standing  this  day  confessedly  Oie  oldest  volunteer 
pxilitary  compamj  wiOiiii  Oie  limits  of  Oiese  Confederate 
States. 

Age  itself  imparts  a  dignity.  The  eloquence  of  the 
orator  falls  upon  the  ear  in  more  commanding  tones,  as 
it  comes  re-echoed  by  the  voices  of  centuries;  and  the 
gleam  of  the  warrior's  sword  grows  brighter  still,  as  it 
flashes  forth  from  out  the  darkness  of  the  Past.  The 
strong  fortress  of  to-day,  with  its  heavy  bastions  and 
glittering  armament,  seems  far  less  attractive  than  the 
old  castle  bending  beneath  the  weight  of  years,  its  high 
towers  over-shadowed  by  the  clustering  ivy,  its  silent 
walls  tapestried  witli  the  moss  of  centuries.  Age  does 
indeed  impress*  its  seal  of  consecration  upon  men  and 
matter. 

It  is  meet  then,  Fellow-Soldiers,  in  reviewing  the  his- 
tory of  our  Company,  that  we  should  contemplate  with 
peculiar  pride  and  pleasure  the  longevity  of  our  Corps. 
Looking  down  the  current  of  time,  what  revolutions  of 
States,  what  wars,  what  commotions,  what  changes  of 
empire  since  that  day,  when  with  a  battery  of  only  two 
four-pounder  guns,  we  first  saluted  the  immortal  mem- 
ory of  Saint  Tammany,  the  tutelar  Saint  of  America  1 
Other  volunteer  military  organizations  there  were,  in 


OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  11 

this  City  and  elsewhere,  prior  to  and  coeval  with  our 
own;  but  wearied  with  the  heat  and  the  burthen  of  the 
day,  faint-hearted  they  have  fallen ;  and  only  here  and 
there,  upon  the  dusty  pages  of  neglected  newspaper  files 
are  seen  occasional  notices  of  their  former  existence, 
*'  like  sea-shells  found  where  the  ocean  has  been,  to  tell 
that  the  great  tide  of  life  was  once  there." 

The  organization  of  our  Corps  was  the  legitimate  re- 
sult of  a  practical  patriotic  recognition  by  the  members 
who  first  composed  it,  of  the  necessities  which  then 
existed  for  the  formation  of  an  artillery  corps  within  our 
City.  Its  founders  were  men  who  had  many  of  them  in 
person  braved  the  dangers  of  the  Revolution;  who  intel- 
ligently appreciated  the  priceless  value  of  that  liberty 
which  had  been  so  dearly  bought,  and  who  were  pre- 
pared themselves  sacredly  to  cherish,  and  vigorously 
to  defend  its  existence.  They  were  men  feelingly  alive 
to  the  fact,  that  in  a  country  such  as  that  which  we  then 
possessed,  when  dangers  threatened,  the  first,  the  surest 
reliance  must  be  placed  upon  citizen  soldiers.  Experi- 
ence has  fully  demonstrated  the  truth  of  the  projxxsition, 
that  at  least  in  free  and  enlightened  republics,  the  well- 
ordered  volunteer  military  organizations  arc  in  peace, 
the  natural  guardians  of  law,  that  to  them  in  times  of 
peril  raust  we  look  for  the  earliest,  the  most  effectual 
protection.  They  were  men  too,  who  had  here  erected 
their  family  altars,  and  who  had  linked  their  fortunes 
with  the  destinies  of  our  rising  City, —  men  of  respect- 
ability and  of  character, —  aware  of  their  true  positions 


12  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 

and  responsibilities  as  citizens  of  a  Republic  just  born 
into  the  sisterhood  of  nations, —  and  entertaining  for 
each  other  that  sincere  regard,  which  is  the  offspring  of 
kindred  hopes,  of  kindred  interests,  and  of  kindred 
virtues. 

The  remark  of  the  Roman  orator,  that  true  friendship 
cannot  obtain  except  among  good  men,  and  that  no 
alliance  can  long  exist,  which  docs  not  find  its  origin 
in  a  friendship  based  upon  virtue;  is  as  applicable  now, 
as  it  was  when  he  announced  it  centuries  ago,  amid  the 
quiet,  beautiful  shades  of  his  Tusculan  villa. 

Our  organization,  Fellow-Soldiers,  was  the  child  of 
that  heroic  age  which  followed  hard  upon  the  eight 
years  struggle  fRr  American  Independence.  Our  first 
Captain,  Edward  Lloyd,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  service, 
testified  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Freedom,  amid  the 
dangers  and  the  carnage  of  several  bravely  fought 
fields,  and  was  finally  sorely  wounded  at  the  siege  of 
Savannah.  AVhile  the  surgeon  was  dressing  the  stump 
from  which  his  arm  had  been  rudely  torn  by  a  cannon 
ball.  Major  James  Jackson  observing  to  him,  that  his 
prospects  were  rendered  unpromising,  by  reason  of  this 
heavy  burthen  which  hard  fate  had  imposed  upon  him, 
a  young  man  just  entering  into  life;  Lloyd  replied, 
that  unpromising  as  .they  were,  he  would  not  willingly 
exchange  them  for  the  feelings  of  Lieutenant  Stedman, 
who  had  fled  at  the  commencement  of  the  assault, 

"With  a  Spartan  heroism  worthy  of  all  admiration,  he 
preferred    the    scars  and    the   maiming  of    Freedom's 


OF  THE  CHATHAM:  ARTILLERY.  18 

battle-field,  to  security  purchased  at  the  sacrifice  of 
honor  and  of  patriotism. 

Although  the  hostile  fleets,  which  hovered  about  our 
coasts,  had  spread  their  farewell  sails  for  far-distant 
ports; — although  the  tramp  of  British  soldiery  was  no 
more  heard  within  our  borders, —  and  the  summer  air, 
freed  from  the  noisome  vapors  and  the  rude  alarms  of 
war,  was  filled  with  the  sweet  perfume  of  flowers,  and 
the  melody  of  song-birds,  peace  and  tranquility  did  not 
entirely  prevail  within  the  limits  of  Georgia  upon  the 
suspension  of  hostilities  between  England  and  America. 
The  war-whoop  of  the  Indian  still  resounded  in  the 
deep  recesses  of  neighboring  forests,  and  bands  of  ma- 
rauding negroes  were  at  large  upon  the  outskirts  of  our 
immediate  settlements. 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  among  the  British  forces 
occupying  Savannah  during  and  after  its  memorable 
siege,  were  numbered  three  hundred  slaves.  Upon  the 
evacuation,  taking  refuge  in  the  fastnesses  of  our 
swamps,  and  still  styling  themselves  the  "King  of  Eng- 
land's Soldiers,"  they  attracted  to  themselves  numer- 
ous run-aways,  and  made  constant  inroads  upon  the 
settlements  on  both  sides  of  the  Savannah  River, 
plundering  and  murdering  to  the  alarm  and  disquietude 
of  the  citizens.  Serious  apprehensions  were  also  enter- 
tained, that  th(i  lawless,  improper,  and  most  delet-erious 
influence  exerted  by  these  free-booters,  might  and  would 
lead  to  a  general  and  bloody  insurrection  of  the  slaves 
ia  this  vicinity. 


14  SEVENTY-FIFTH   AXXn'ERSARY 

The  earliest  military  duty  performed  by  our  Corps 
was  in  May,  1786.  The  first  regiment  of  the  Chatham 
County  militia,  to  which  our  Company  was  attached 
was  then  ordered  into  service,  for  the  purpose  in  con- 
nection with  certain  troops  from  Beaufort  District  in 
South-Carolina,  of  dispersing  these  lawless  marauders, 
who  had  established  a  formidable  encampment  on  Bear 
Creek  in  Effingham  County.  Enclosing  a  space  of 
ground  about  the  half  of  a  mile  in  length,  and  some 
four  hundred  feet  in  width,  with  a  breast-work  four 
feet  high,  composed  of  logs  and  large  canes,  which  they 
obtained  from  the  adjacent  swamps,  they  there  fixed 
their  permanent  head-quarters.  From  thence  depreda- 
tory parties  constantly  issued,  who,  after  the  commission 
of  sundry  outrages,  would  return  laden  with  spoils. 
On  the  sixth  of  May,  1786,  this  fortified  camp  was 
attacked,  and  its  occupants  completely  routed.  Some 
were  killed,  others  wounded,  more  captured.  Their 
houses  —  twenty-one  in  number  —  were  burned,  and 
their  crops  destroyed.  Thus,  in  a  tour  of  dut}-  lasting 
but  a  few  days,  and  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
member,  did  the  Chatham  Artillery  assist  in  ridding 
the  State  of  one  of  the  most  dangerous  and  best  discip- 
lined bands  of  marauders,  which  ever  infested  our  bor- 
ders. 

It  cannot  be  questioned,  my  Fellow-Soldiers,  but  that 
the  existence  of  these  domestic  troubles,  and  the  pros- 
pect of  immediate  service,  had  much  to  do  with  the 
original   establishment  of   our   Corps.     With   its   first 


OF  THE   CHATHAM  ARTILLERY.  15 

members,  it  was  an  organization  formed  not  only  for 
the  pursuit  of  rational  amusement,  for  manly  exercise 
and  proficiency  in  an  important  arm  of  military  service, 
and  for  the  cultivation  of  friendship,  but  chiefly  de- 
signed as  a  reliable  source  of  protection  at  home,  as  an 
organized  efficient  band  of  Cannoniers,  prepared  at  a 
moment's  warning,  to  render  their  every  aid  in  sustain- 
ing the  peace,  the  good  order,  the  security  of  their  City, 
their  State,  and  of  their  Country. 

That  primal  object  has  been  freely  and  generously 
eflfectuated  in  after  years,  whenever  and  wherever  op- 
portunity occurred. 

With  this  brief  historic  sketch  of  the  inception  and 
earliest  duties  of  our  Company,  we  are  the  better  pre- 
pared intelligently  to  appreciate  the  true  character  and 
peculiar  excellencies  of  the  original  Preamble,  which 
still  remains  prefixed  to  our  Rules  and  Regulations. 

".Impressed  with  a  firm  belief  that  the  safety  of  flie 
glorious  institutions  under  which  we  live,  and  which 
have  been  bequeathed  to  us  as  a  sacred  and  inestimable 
legacy,  purchased  by  the  blood  and  toil  of  the  Fathers 
of  the  Republic,  depends  upon  a  well  regulated  and 
strictly  disciplined  militia;  that  such  a  militia  is  es- 
pecially necessary  in  the  community  in  which  we  live, 
from  the  peculiar  character  of  our  population,  which 
renders  it  necessary  to«be  always  prepared,  and  ever  on 
the  alert  to  meet  a  danger  which  may  have  its  being 
among  us  without  our  knowledge,  and  may  break  forth 
in   our  most  unsuspecting  moments; — fully  convinced 


16  SEVENTY-FIITII   ANNIVERSARY 

that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  citizen  to  contribute  not  only 
to  the  necessary  pecuniary  exigencies  of  his  country, 
when  demanded,  but  to  be  prepared  in  times  of  danger, 
when  the  peace,  and  welfare,  and  dignity  of  that  country 
are  threatened,  to  interpose  his  person  as  a  shield  and 
safeguard  between  her  and  dishonor;  that  to  obtain  this 
laudable  and  honorable  object,  a  proper  organization, 
and  a  strict  bond  of  union  and  of  action  are  required,  as 
well  in  peace  as  in  war ;  and  that  a  corps  devoted  to 
the  service  of  Field  Artillery  is  an  honorable,  important, 
and  efficient  branch  of  the  National  or  State  defence, — 
affording  the  best  opportunit}'-  to  render  valuable  those 
services  which  it  is  our  duty  and  our  desire  to  proffer  to 
our  beloved  country  on  all  occasions,  when  the  support 
of  her  rights  or  interests  may  demand  them : — "We,  the 
Officers,  Non-commissioned  Officers,  and  Privates  of  the 
CJjjatbam  Artillery,  whose  names  are  hereunto  sub- 
scribed, for  the  purposes  above  recited,  and  with  a  view 
to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  military  tactics,  and  especially 
of  that  portion  more  particularly  embraced  by  the  title 
of  our  association,  do  hereby  solemnly  agree  to  the  fol- 
lowing 'Rules  for  the  Government  of  the  Chatham 
Artillery.'  *  *  *     ^[j^i  ^^  ^q  Jicrehy  pledge 

our  honor,  of  ivhich  our  signature  is  witness,  that  we  will, 
to  the  best  of  our  ability  and  understanding,  devote  ourselves 
to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  ff  the  Corps,  to  ivhich  we 
have  voluntarily  attached  ourselves,  by  all  honorable  means  ; 
and  ardently  cooperate  in  the  increase  of  its  strength,  respect- 
ability, and  discipline ;  and  Oiat  we  will  foster  and  maintain 


OF   THE   CHATHAM    ARTILLERY.*  17 

sentiments  of  respect  and  affection  towards  each  other,  as 
soldiers  and  citizens ;  and,  united  as  a  band  of  brothers, 
devote  ourselves,  when  occasion  requires  it,  to  Oie  service  of 
our  Gountry.^^ 

The  reflection,  Brother  Members  of  the  Chatham 
Artillery,  that  for  a  period  of  seventy-five  years  we 
have  endeavored  faithfully  and  zealously  to  redeem  the 
pledges  thus  early  given,  is  fraught  with  emotions  the 
most  pleasing  and  satisfactory.  And'hitherare  we  come, 
in  the  sweet  sunlight  of  this  beautiful  May  morning,  in 
the  presence  of  each  other,  and  of  this  cloud  of  attest- 
ing witnesses,  and  in  the  full  blaze  of  the  dawning 
glories  of  our  young  Confederacy,  to  renew  the  vows, 
and  to  ratify  the  ennobling  obligations  which  our  Fa- 
thers in  their  patriotism,  and  the  just  claims  of  our 
beloved  Country  have  devolved  upon  us. 

The  first  funeral  honors  ever  paid  by  our  Corps,  were 
those  rendered  upon  the  occasion  of  the  burial  of  Gene- 
ral Greene,  in  June,  1786. 

Of  all  the  brave  leaders  who  had  distinguished  them. 
selves  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  per- 
haps, next  to  Washington,  the  one  who  at  that  moment 
held  the  highest  place  in  the  public  esteem.  Few  men 
have  ever  built  themselves  a  name  upon  purer  or  more 
durable  foundations. 

The  year  previous.  General  Oglethorpe  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  more  than  a  century,  had  yielded  up  his 
spirit  into  the  hands  of  the  great  God  who  gave  it. 
Upon  the  white  mural  tablet  in  the  chancel  of  Cranham 


18  *  SEVENTY-FIFTH  AXXIYERSARY 

Church  is  engraven  the  record  of  his  many  virtues,  the 
catalogue  of  his  signal  services.  In  nothing  was  he 
more  illustriojis,  than  in  being  the  successful  founder  of 
the  Colony  of  Georgia,  Thus,  within  the  short  space  of 
one  year,  was  our  City  called  upon  to  mourn  the  demise 
of  both  the  Author  of  her  being,  and  the  Defender  of 
her  liberties. 

The  remains  of  General  Greene  were  brousrht  from 
his  seat  near  Savannah,  to  this  City  for  sepulture. 

We  are  indebted  to  a  public  journal  of  the  day  for 
the  following  account  of  the  ceremonies  attending  his 
interment  : 

"On  Monday  last,  the  19th  day  of  June,  died  at  his 
seat  near  Savannah,  Nathanael  Gkeene  Esq.,  late 
Major  General  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States  ;  and 
on  Tuesday  morning  his  remains  were  brought  to  town 
to  be  interred. 

"The  melancholy  account  of  his  death  was  made 
known  by  the  discharge  of  minute  guns  from  Fort 
Wayne;  the  shipping  in  the  harbour  had  their  colours 
half  masted ;  the  shops  and  stores  in  the  town  were 
shut;  and  every  class  of  citizens,  suspending  their  ordi- 
nary occupations,  united  in  giving  testimonies  of  deepest 
sorrow. 

"  The  several  military  corps  of  the  town,  and  a  gteat 
part  of  tlic  militia  of  Chatham  County,  attended  the 
funeral,  and  moved  in  the  following  procession  : 


of  the  chatham  artij^lery.  '  19 

The  Corps  of  Artillery, 
The  Light  Infantry, 
The  Mihtia  of  Chatham  County, 
Clergymen  and  Physicians, 
Band  of  Music 
The  CORPSE  AND  PALL-BEARERS, 
Escorted  on  Each  Side  by  a  Company  of  Dragoons, 
The  Principal  Mourners, 
The  Members  of  the  Cincinna^  as  Mourners, 
The  Speaker  of  the  Assembly, 
And  other  Civil  Officers  of  the  State, 
Citizens  and  Strangers, 
About  five  o'clock  the  whole  proceeded,  the  Music 
playing  the  Dead  March  in  Saul,  and  the  Artillery  firing 
minute  guns  as  it  advanced.     When  the  military  reached 
the  vault  in   which  the  body   was  to  be  entombed, 
they   opened   to  the  right  and   left,    and,    resting    on 
reversed  arms,  let  it  pass  through.     The  funeral  service 
being  performed,  and  the  corpse  deposited,  Viirteen  dis- 
charges from  Vie  artillery^  and  three  from  the  musketry, 
closed  the  scene.     The   whole  was  conducted   with   a 
solemnity  suitable  to  the  occasion." 

Thus  Fellow  Soldiers,  did  our  time-honored  Company 
in  its  very  infancy  inaugurate  that  worthy  custom — a 
custom  which  has  never,  during  a  period  of  three- 
quarters  of  a  century,  been  abandoned  or  in  a  single 
instance  omitted, —  of  rendering  willing  tribute  to  the 
memory  of  the  illustrious  dead.  And  surely  to  the 
honest  patriotic  heart,  there  can  be, — under  the  melan- 


20  SEVEXTy-FIFTH   AXXIVERSARY 

choly  circumstances  which  attend, —  no  higher  gratifica- 
tion, than  the  privilege  of  in  person  paying  the  last 
funeral  honors  to  those,  whom  in  life  the  nation  delight- 
ed to  regard  with  esteem  and  gratitude. 

In  the  language  of  Seneca,  great  and  good  men  are 
given  by  the  Gods  for  ensamples  to  the  world.  Them 
while  living  we  admire ;  when  dead,  their  memory  we 
will  revere,  their  virtues  we  will  emulate.         • 

On  the  fourth  ol^July,  1786,  the  Chatham  Artillery 
united  for  the  first  time,  in  celebrating  the  Anniversary 
of  American  Independence.  After  the  lapse  of  so 
many  years,  it  may  not  be  deemed  uninteresting  to 
note  the  proceedings  of  that  day.  I  quote  from  the 
Georgia  Gazette^  of  July  6th,  1786 : 

"  Tuesday  last  being  the  Anniversary  of  INDEPEN- 
DENCE, the  Officers  of  the  Chatham  County  Militia, 
and  a  respectable  number  of  Citizens,  dined  together  at 
the  Court  House,  when  the  following  toasts  were  drank, 
accompanied  by  13  discharges  of  cannon  from  Ca2)t.  Lloyd's 
Artillery : 

•'1.  The  United  States. 

"  2.  The  State  of  Georgia. 

"3.  General  Washington,  or  the  American  Farmer, 

"4.  The  immortal  Memory  of  our  late  virtuous 
Fellow  Citizen,  General  Greene. 

"5.  The  glorious  Memory '  of  those  who  fell  in  the 
Support  of  American  Independence. 

"  6.  The  Protector  of  the  Rights  of  Mankind,  Louia 
XVI. 


OF   THE   ClIATnAM    ARTILLERY.  21 

"  7.  Agriculture  and  Commerce,  and  the  honest 
Ploughman  and  Merchant  who  contribute  to  their  Ad- 
vancement. 

"  8.  May  the  Navy  of  America  be  employed  as  the 
Scourge  of  Tyrants,  and  the  Basis  of  Western  Freedom . 

"9.  May  the  Arts  and  Sciences  of  the  East  find  a 
perpetual  Asylum  in  the  free  and  independent  Regions 
of  the  "West. 

"  10.  The  glojious  4th  July,  1776. 

"11.  The  American  Mothers. 

'*  12.  Harmony  and  Unanimity  to  the  Councils  of 
Georgia,  and  Wisdom  and  Respect  to  those  of  the  Con- 
tinent. 

"  13.  UNIVERSAL  FREEDOM. 

"  The  day  was  spent  with  those  demonstrations  of  joy 
and  festivity  which  ought  to  mark  the  Era  of  happiness 
and  freedom  to  the  Western  World.  In  the  evening^  Capt. 
LloyrVs  Company  of  Artillery  exhibited  a  lively  and  stri- 
king scene  of  fire-vjorkSy  which  did  honor  to  Hie  abilities  of 
the  Captain  and  his  Company,  AND  WHicn  we  are 
HAPPY  TO  ASSURE  THE  PUBLICK,  BIDS  FAIR  TO  BE 
EQUAL  TO   ANY  CORPS  OF  THE   KIND   IN   THE   WORLD." 

Will  it  now  be  regarded  a.s  an  act  of  egotism  for  us 
my  Fellow  Soldiers,  to  claim,  that  the  bud  of  promise, 
then  just  unfolding  in  its  earliest  existence,  has  expand- 
ed into  the  proportions,  the  beauty,  and  the  attractions 
of  the  perfect  flower  ?  For  the  Editor  of  this  venerable 
Journal,  who  thus  generously  awarded  the  meed  of 
praise  to  our  youthful  organization,  we  shall  cherish  the 


22  SEVEXTY-FIFTU   ^VXNIVEKSARY 

warmest  esteem ;  aud  although  neither  a  prophet  nor 
the  son  of  a  prophet,  we  will  cheerfully  accord  to  him 
powers  of  divination  more  reliable  than  those  possessed 
even  by  the  renowned  Pythia,  Priestess  of  Apollo  at 
Delphi. 

Ten  years  before,  in  Independence  Ilall  a  deed  had 
been  done,  which  scarce  finds  a  parallel  in  the  annals  of 
the  world.  Amid  those  feelings  of  honor,  of  pride,  and 
of  gratilication,  which  are  the  legitimate  results  of  an 
intelligent  appreciation  of  our  present  national  existence 
as  a  Great  Southern  Republic,  let  us  not  forget  the  con- 
secrated associations  which  cluster  around  all  that  was 
good,  all  that  was  holy  in  the  old  Union.  Above  all, 
as  citizens  of  Georgia, —  one  of  the  original  Thirteen, — 
let  us  ever  cherish  in  liveliest  remembrance,  the  immor- 
tal memories  of  the  fourth  of  July  1776.  They  are 
ours,  and  neither  the  lapse  of  time,  nor  the  revolutions 
of  States,  shall  rob  us  of  them.  Although  the  foul 
exhalations  of  a  modern  fanaticism  are  polluting  the 
free  air  which  floats  around  that  venerable  building, 
still,  Independence  Hall,  as  the  Cradle  of  American  Lib- 
erty, shall  remain  forever  sacred.  Adopting  the  invo- 
cation of  an  accomplished  Orator,  let  time  respect,  and 
violence  spare  it,  and  the  ruthless  hand  of  embellishment 
have  mercy  upon  it.  Let  every  stone,  and  every  brick, 
aud  every  plank,  and  every  bolt,  from  the  foundation  to 
the  pinnacle,  be  sacred.  Let  the  rains  of  heaven  fall 
softly  upon  the  roof,  and  the  winds  of  winter  beat 
gently  at  the  door.     Let  it  stand  to  the  end  of  time, 


OF  THE   CHATUAM   ARTILLERY.  23 

second  only  to  Mount  Vernon,  as  the  sanctuary  of  Amer- 
ican Patriotism.  Let  generation  on  generation  of  those 
who  taste  the  blessings  of  the  great  Declaration,  pay  their 
homage  at  the  shrine,  and  deem  it  no  irreverence  as  they 
kneel  in  gratitude  to  the  Providence  which  guided  and 
inspired  the  men  who  assembled  therein,  to  call  its  walls 
salvation  and-  its  gates  praise. 

Seventy -four  times  has  our  Battery  saluted  the  morn- 
ing Sun,  as  he  ushered  in  the  annual  dawn  of  that  illus- 
trious day.  Long  may  its  thunders  proclaim  the  great- 
ness of  its  memories,  and  awaken  responsive  echoes  in 
the  hearts  of  all  true  lovers  of  freedom. 

There  appears,  at  an  early  period  in  our  histor}^,  to 
have  existed  a  marked  intimacy  between  the  Chatham 
Artillery  and  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati ;  an  associa- 
tion whose  avowed  object  was  the  cultivation  of  friendly 
relations  between  the  officers  of  the  Eevolution,  and 
their  immediate  descendants.  The  first  of  May  —  a  day 
consecrated  to  the  memory  of  Saint  Tammany,  the  Tu- 
telar Saint  of  America^ —  and  the  Fourth  of  July  were 
often  celebrated  by  them  in  Company;  the  festivities  of 
each  occasion  concluding  with  a  bountiful  repast,  enli- 
vened by  regular  and  volunteer  toasts  redolent  of  pa- 
triotism, of  admiration  for  the  sex,  and  of  cherished 
devotion  to  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  departed. 
R<?ndered  famous  by  these  assemblages,  "  Brown's  Coffee 
House"  and  the  "  Filature,"'  will  n^ver  be  forgotten  in 
the  history  of  our  City. 

Particular  attention  was  paid  by  our  Company  for 


24  SEVENTY-FIITH    AXNIVEKSARY 

many  years  to  the  art  of  Pyrotecbny  —  especially  ns 
connected  with  the  science  of  gunnery, —  the  manufac- 
ture of  fire-balls,  rockets,  light-balls,  port-fires,  slow- 
matches,  signals,  &c.  It  wjis  by  no  means  unusual  for 
the  ceremonies  of  a  marked  occasion  to  be  terminated 
by  a  creditable  and  interesting  exhibition  of  fire-works 
prepared  by  the  Corps.  In  1808,  an  a-^sociation  of 
members  was  formed  for  the  express  purpose  of  acqui- 
ring more  extended  practical  knowledge,  information, 
and  skill  in  this  department.  Convening  one  afternoon 
in  each  week  at  the  "  Laborator}'," — a  wooden  building 
then  used  by  the  Corps,  and  occupying  the  lot  upon 
which  our  Armory  now  stands, —  they  zealously  prose- 
cuted their  labors,  cheerfully  contributing  toward  the 
the  defrayal  of  all  expenses  incurred. 

The  name  of  Thomas  Elfe,  our  second  Captain, 
will  be  ever  remembered  in  the  history  of  our  Corps,  if 
for  no  other  reason,  because  of  the  fact  that  he  was  in 
command  of  the  Company,  when  in  an  organiy^ed  ca- 
pacity, we  united  with  our  fellow  citizens  in  paying 
every  mark  of  respect,  and  in  extending  the  warmest 
welcome  to  General  Washington,  when  in  1791  he 
visited  our  City,  and  for  a  few  days  as  a  great  and  good 
Father  communed  in  person  with  his  loving  and  admi- 
ring children. 

It  is  a  proud  recollection  my  Brother  Soldiers,  that 
our  time-honored  Company  then  participated  in  the 
illustrious  ceremonies  of  that  day, —  each  member  with 
eager  acclaim  swelling  the  universal  welcome  which  rose 


OF   THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  25 

from  the  assembled  multitude, — our  well-trained  battery 
meanwhile  thundering  forth  its  joyful  salutes; — a  proud 
recollection  that  with  him  we  joined  in  the  festivities  of 
a  generous  and  patriotic  board,  from  his  lips  receiving 
expressions  of  marked  approbation,  and  that  we  finally 
became  the  happy  recipients  at  his  hands  of  those  proofs 
of  his  esteem  and  regard, —  the  Washington  Guns, — 
which  are  cherished  with  an  attachment,  to  which  the 
lapse  of  time  but  lends  an  additional  consecration. 

We  may  readily  conjecture  the  emotions  of  General 
Washington,  as  his  feet  for  the  first  time  pressed  the 
soil  of  our  City.  The  organic  remains  of  our  Revolu- 
tionary period  still  existed,  recalling  every  recollection 
of  that  hard-fought  struggle.  Within  the  consecrated 
confines  of  yonder  necropolis,  reposed  the  remains  of  his 
bosom  friend  and  compatriot  in  arms,  the  noble  Greene. 
Where  the  ebbing  tide  of  the  Savannah  meets  and  min- 
gles with  the  restless  waves  of  the  broad  Atlantic;  whree 
the  morning  air,  fragrant  with  the  sweet  perfumes  of  a 
land  smiling  in  that  peace  and  Jiberty  which  he  died  to 
secure,  is  ever  breathing  a  heartfelt  requiem  for  the  de- 
p&Tied  hero,  was  sleeping  the  young  and  gallant  Pole,  the 
beloved  Pulaski.  The  earth-mounds  which  covered 
the  dead  who  fell  during  the  siege  of  Savannah,  had  not 
then  yielded  to  the  obliterating  influences  of  the  tempest; 
and  some  of  the  houses  within  the  limits  of  our  City, 
still  indicated  the  marks  of  the  hostile  missiles  of  death 
which  were  hurlc<l  that  day.  Around  him  gathered 
many  who  had  themselves  passed  through  the  baptism 


26  SEVENTY-HFTH  AXNIVERSART 

of  fire,  some  of  them  bearing  about  their  persons  the 
honorable  scars  of  that  patriotic  struggle.  All,  filled 
■with  the  valiant  memories  of  the  Past,  rejoicing  in  the 
independence  of  the  Present,  and  overflowing  with  a 
sincere  admiration  for  him,  who  under  the  guidance  of  a 
superintending  Providence  had  achieved  these  grand 
results,  crowded  around  the  Hero  of  the  Revolution, 
striving  in  generous  emulation  to  outvie  the  one  the 
other  in  doing  him  every  honor.  Surely  he,  who  amid 
the  cloud  and  rush  of  battle  paused  to  shed  tears  of 
heartfelt  sorrow  oyer  the  bleeding  form  of  the  chivalrous 
Mercer,  must  have  been  deeply  moved  upon  this  occa- 
sion ;  feelingly  impressed  by  the  monuments  and  the 
memories  of  the  Past, —  joyfully  alive  to  the  prospect 
so  glorious,  of  confidence  restored,  of  agriculture  and 
commerce  established,  of  society  prospering  under  a 
sense  of  security,  of  freedom,  and  of  good  government, 
— and  tenderly  sensible  of  the  grateful  and  affectionate 
admiration  of  his  fellow  countrymen,  a  reward  most 
worthy  the  appreciation  of  so  great  and  good  a  man. 

We  may  well  pause  for  a  moment,  my  Fellow  Sol- 
diers, to  review  the  incidents  of  those  days.  In  the 
history  of  our  Corps,  they  are  marked  with  white 
stones :  in  the  annals  of  our  City,  they  appear  invested 
with  a  peculiar  attraction.  I  quote  from  the  Georgia 
e^azeWe,  of  May  19th,  1791: 

"On  Thursday  morning  the  President  arrived  at  Pu- 
rysburgh,  where  he  was  received  by  the  Committee  who 
had  been  deputed  by  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  Savan- 


OF  THE  CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  27 

nail  and  its  vicinity  for  that  purpose,  and  to  conduct 
him  to  the  City  in  a  boat,  which  had  been  equipped  and 
neatly  ornamented  for  the  occasion.  The  President 
with  the  Committee,  his  Secretary,  Major  Jackson, 
Major  Butler,  General  Wayne,  and  Mr.  Baillie, 
embarked  at  Purj'^sburgh  between  ten  and  eleven 
o'clock,  and  was  rowed  down  the  River  by  nine  Amer- 
ican Captains,  viz :  Captains  Putnam,  Courter,  Rice, 
Fisher,  Huntingdon,  Kershaw,  Swain,  McIntire, 
and  Morrison,  who  were  dressed  in  light  blue  silk 
jackets,  black  satin  breeches,  white  silk  stockings,  and 
round  hats  with  black  ribbons  having  the  words  Long 
LIVE  the  President,  in  letters  of  gold.  Within  ten 
miles  of  the  City,  they  were  met  by  a  number  of  gentle- 
men in  several  boats;  and  as  the  President  passed  by 
them,  a  band  of  music  played  the  celebrated  song,  "  He 
comes,  (Jie  Hero  comes,''''  accompanied  with  several  voices. 
On  his  approach  to  the  City,  the  concourse  on  the  bluff, 
and  the  crowds  which  had  pressed  into  the  vessels, 
evinced  the  general  joy  which  had  been  inspired  by  the 
visit  of  this  most  beloved  of  men,  and  the  ardent  desire 
of  all  ranks  and  conditions  of  people  to  be  gratified  by 
his  presence.  Upon  arriving  at  the  upper  part  of  the 
harbor,  he  was  saluted  from  the  wharves  and  by  the 
shipping,  and  particularly  by  the  ship  Thomas  Wilson, 
—  Capt  White, — which  was  beautifully  decorated  with 
the  colors  of  various  nations.  At  the  foot  of  the  stairs 
where  the  President  landed,  he  was  received  by  Colonel 
GuNN  and  General  Jackson,  who  introduced  him  to 


28  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ANNrVERSARY 

the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  the  City.     The  Artillery 

Company  saluted   him    icith   twenty-six  discharges  from 

their  field-pieces,  and  he  was  then  conducted  to  a  house 

prepared  by  the  corporation  for  his  accommodation,  in 

St.  James'  Square,  in  the  following  order  of  procession: 

•Light  Infantry  Company, 

Field  Officers  and  other  Officers  of  the  Militia, 

Marshal  of  the  Cit}^, 

Treasurer,  Clerk  and  Recorder, 

Aldermen,  the  Mayor, 

President  and  Suit, 
Committee  of  Citizens, 
Members  of  the  Cincinnati, 
Citizens  two  and  two, 
Artillery  Company. 
"The  President  and  Suit  dined  with  the  Corparation 
at  six  o'clock  the  same  day,  and  were  conducted   to 
Brown's  Coffi^e  House  by  the  Mayor  of  the  City,  and 
the  President  of  the  Cincinnati.     Many  distinguished 
gentlemen  by  invitation   partook  of  the  entertainment 
prepared.     Sundry  patriotic  toasts  were  drank,  each  suc- 
ceeded by  discharges  from  (lie  field-pieces  of  tJie  Artillery. 
In  the  evening  the  City  was  beautifully  illuminated. 
The  next  day,  the  President  dined  with  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati  of  Georgia,  at  Brown's  Coffi^e  House,  the 
toasts  offered  being  accompanied  by  federal  salutes  from  tlie 
Artillery. 

"  In  the  evening,  a  Ball  in  honor  of  the  President, 
was  given  at  the  Long  Room  in  the  Filature.    At  half- 


OF  THE  CHATIIAi[   ARTILLERY.  29 

past  8  o'clock,  the  President  honored  the  Company  with 
his  presence,  and  was  personally  introduced  by  one  of 
the  Managers  to  96  ladies,  who  were  elegantly  dressed, 
some  of  whom  displayed  infinite  taste  in  the  emblems 
and  devices  on  their  saslies  and  head-dresses,  out  of 
respect  to  the  happy  occasion, 

"  The  room,  which  had  been  lately  handsomely  fitted* 
up,  and  was  well  lighted,  aftbrded  the  President  an  ex- 
cellent oppj>rtunity  of  viewing  the  Fair  Sex  of  our  City 
and  vicinity,  and  the  ladies  the  gratification  of  paying 
their  respects  to  our  Federal  Chief. 

"  After  a  few  minuets  were  moved  and  one  country 
dance  led  down,  the  President  and  his  Suit  retired  about 
11  o'clock.  At  12  o'clock  the  supper  room  was  opened, 
and  the  ladies  partook  of  a  repast,  after  which  dances 
continued  until  3  o'clock-  The  company  retired  with 
the  happy  satisfaction  of  having  generally  contributed 
towards  the  hilarity  and  gaiety  of  the  evening. 

"  On  Saturday  morning,  the  President  attended  by 
Gen.  McLn'tosh  and  several  other  gentlemen,  took  a 
view  of  the  remaining  traces  of  the  lines  constructed  by 
the  British  for  the  defence  of  Savannah  in  1779 ;  the 
General  having  been  second  in  command  under  General 
Lincoln  at  storming  them,  had  an  opportunity  of  giving 
an  account  of  every  thing  interesting  during  the  siege 
and  in  the  attack. 

"  In  the  afternoon,  the  President  honored  the  Citizens 
with  his  company  at  a  dinner  prepared  for  him  under  a 
beautiful  arbor,  supported  by  three  rows  of  pillars,  en- 


30  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 

tirely  covered  Avitli  laurel  and  bay  leaves,  so  as  to 
exhibit  uniform  green  columns.  The  pillars  were  higher 
than  the  arbor,  and  ornamented  above  it  by  festoons, 
and  connected  below  by  arches  covered  in  the  same 
manner.  The  place  on  which  it  stood  was  judiciously 
chosen,  presenting  at  once  a  view  of  the  city  and  of  the 
shipping  in  the  harbor,  with  an  extensive  prospect  of 
the  river  and  rice  lands  both  above  and  below  the*  town. 
But  the  principal  advantage  which  resultq^  from*  ita 
situation  and  structure,  was  the  opportunity  which  it 
afforded  to  a  great  body  of  people  to  have  a  distinct  and 
uninterrupted  view  of  that  object  to  which  all  eyes  and 
hearts  appeared  to  be  attracted. 

"  A  company  of  nearly  200  citizens  and  strangers 
dined  under  it,  and  the  satisfaction  which  each  one  en- 
joyed in  paying  this  personal  tribute  to  the  merit  of  a 
man,  who  is,  if  possible,  more  beloved  for  his  goodness 
than  admired  for  his  greatness,  produced  a  degree  of 
convivial  and  harmonious  mirth  rarely  experienced. 

"  Every  one  beheld  with  delight  in  the  person  of  our 
President,  the  able  General,  the  virtuous  Patriot,  the 
profound  Politician;  in  a  word,  one  of  the  most  shining 
ornaments  that  ever  dignified  human  nature. 

"  Tltc  Artillery  Co7yipany  dined  under  another  arhor^ 
erected  at  a  small  distance^  and  received  merited  applause  Jor 
the  great  dexterity  which  they  displayed  in  firing,  at  each 
toast.  Their  fires  were  returned  by  Fort  Wayne,  and  the 
ship  Thomas  Wilson  which  was  moored  opposite  the 
arbor;  her  decorations  through  the  day,  and  illumination 
at  night  had  a  fine  effect. 


OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  31 

"  The  following  toasts  were  given :  The  United  States 
of  America.  Prosperity  to  the  Citizens  of  Savannah 
and  its  vicinity.  [By  the  President.]  The  Fair  of  Ame- 
rica. The  Vice  President  of  the  United  States.  The 
memorable  Era  of  Independence.  The  Count  d'Estaing. 
The  Memory  of  Gren.  Greene.  The  Arts  and  Sciences. 
The  Memory  of  those  brave  men  who  fell  before  the 
Lines  of  Savannah,  on  the  9th  of  October,  1779.  The 
Friends  to  Free  and  Equal  Government  throughout  the 
Globe.  All  foreign  Powers  in  Friendship  with  the 
United  States.  May  Religion  and  Philosophy  always 
triumph  over  Superstition  and  Prejudice  in  America. 
The  present  dexterous  Corps  of  Artillery. 
[The  President's  toast.]  (After  the  President  retired,) 
The  President  of  the  United  States. 

"The  construction  of  the  arbor,  and  the  manner  in 
which  the  entertainment  was  provided  and  conducted, 
did  great  honor  to  the  gentlemen  to  whose  direction  the 
whole  was  committed. 

"  In  the  evening  there  was  a  handsome  exhibition  of 
firework.«i,  and  the  amusements  of  this  day  of  joy  and 
festivity  were  concluded  by  a  Concert. 

**  On  Sunday  morning,  the  President  attended  Divine 
Service  in  Christ  Church,  and  soon  after  set  out  on  his 
way  to  Augusta.  On  taking  his  leave  of  the  Mayor 
and  Committee  of  the  Citizens,  he  politely  expressed 
his  sense  of  the  attention  shewn  him  by  the  Corporation 
and  every  denomination  of  people  during  his  stay  in 
Savannah.    He  was  attended  out  of  the  City  by  a  num- 


32  SEVEXTY-FIFTII    ANMVKIISAHV 

ber  of  gentlemen,  and  escorted  by  a  detachment  of  Au- 
gusta dragoons,  commanded  by  Major  Ambrose  Gor- 
don. At  the  Spring  Ilill,  the  President  was  received 
by  General  Jackson,  where  the  Artillery  and  Liglit 
Infantry  Companies  were  3rawn  up,  and  was  there  salu- 
ted by  39  discharges  from  the  field  pieces,  and  13  vollies 
of  platoons.  After  which  he  proceeded  with  several  gen- 
tlemen to  Mulbury  Grove,  the  seat  of  the  late  Maj.  Gen. 
Greene,  where  he  dined,  and  then  resumed  his  tour," 

The  day  after  the  departure  of  General  Washington, 
the  following  card  appeared  in  the  public  journals  of 
our  City : 

"General  Jackson  requests  Captains  Elfe  of  the  Artil- 
lery, and  Montfort  of  the  Volunteer  Infantry',  to  accept 
his  best  thanks  for  their  soldierly  conduct  at  the  re- 
ception, during  the  stay,  and  on  the  departure  of  the 
President.  lie  likewise  presents  his  thanks  to  the  Com- 
missioned and  Non-Commissioucd  Officei's  and  Privates 
of  each  Corps. 

"It  is  a  pleasure  to  the  General  to  announce 
TO  the  Artillery  the  very  general  applause 

THEY  RECEIVED  ON  SATURDAY,  AND,  WH.VT  OUGHT 
TO  IMMORTALIZE  THE  CORPS,  THE  APPROBATION  OP 
THEIR  CONDL'CT,    EXPRESSED   IN   THE  WARMEST  TERMS, 

BY  THE  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  United 
States.  The  General  hopes  that  this  charac- 
ter, so  firmly  established,  will  long  continue 

THEM  AN   ornament  TO  THE  MiLITIA,  AND  AN  HONOR 

TO  THE  State  of  Georgia. 


OF   THE   CHATHAM    ARTILLERY.  33 

"The  Field  Officers  of  the  Chatham  Regiment  will 
be  pleased  to  communicate  this  order,  and  to  receive 
the  General's  highest  commendations  for  their  attention 
to  the  duties  required  of  them. 

"JAS.  JACKSON, 
"  Brigadier  General  1st  District. 
^'Savannah,  May  16,   1791." 

Eight  years  afterwards,  in  the  delightful  and  honor- 
able retirement  of  Mount  Vernon,  serene  as  a  summer 
sky  when  storms  are  hushed,  "Washington,  the  Patriot, 
the  Warrior,  the  Sage,  the  Statesman,  and  the  Christian, 
laying  aside  his  well-worn  armor,  ascended  to  the  God 
of  Justice  and  of  Truth,  whose  child  he  was.  A  nation 
was  clothed  in  the  habiliments  of  mourning,  and  the 
City  of  Oglethorpe  testified  her  interest  in  the  general 
sorrow. 

Time  forbids  that  we  dwell  upon  the  solemnities  of 
that  occasion.  Suffice  it  to  say,  my  Fellow  Soldiers, 
that  the  Chatham  Artillery  united  in  the  funeral  cortege, 
with  side  arms  "  mourned,"  our  battery  with  slow  and 
solemn  salute  paying  its  farewell  tribute  to  the  memory 
of  departed  worth. 

Although  the  moss-clad  vault  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Potomac  enfolds  within  its  silent  embrace  the  moulder- 
dering  form  of  this  majestic  Hero,  the  recollection  of 
his  great  deeds,  his  good  thoughts,  and  of  bis  many 
virtwes,  still  lives,  and  is  cherished  by  none  with  a  purer 
devotion  than  by  us,  Brother  Members  of  the  Chatham 
Artillery.     We  have  in  our  own  keeping  the  pledges  of 

E 


34  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ANNIVERSARY 

his  esteem,  the  proofs  of  bir.  commendation  and  appro- 
val. We  will  guard  sacredly  tbe  gift.  We  will  see  to 
it,  that  the  stains  of  neglect  and  of  forgctfulness  shall 
not  in  after  years  tarnish  the  now  burnished  barrels  of 
of  our  Washington  Guns.  We  will  see  to  it,  that 
their  now  silent  voices, —  silent,  because  peace  is  as  yet 
spreading  her  white  wings  over  our  beloved  City, —  are 
lifted  in  thunder  tones,  whenever  the  principles  which 
he  inculcated  arc  denied,  whenever  the  inestimable  pri- 
vileges which  he  bequeathed,  are  trifled  with  or  invaded. 
Consecrated  by  the  triumphs  of  Yorktown, —  hallowed 
by  the  name  and  the  memory  of  Washington, —  and 
associated  with  the  recollections  of  our  Company  for 
nearly  seventy  years,  they  will  remain  our  perpetual 
joy  and  pride.  When  you  and  I,  my  Brother  Soldiers, 
are  gathered  to  our  Fathers,  these  guns  will  continue 
among  those  who  shall  hereafter  constitute  the  members 
of  this  our  honored  Corps,  a  bond  of  unchanging  union, 
and  a  pledge  of  patriotic  action  whenever  duty  calls. 

General  James  Jackson  in  his  Brigade  Orders  of  the 
fifteenth  of  Jul}',  1791,  returns  his  thanks  to  the  Chat- 
ham Regiment,  of  which  our  Company  was  a  member, 
for  the  efficient  service  rendered  in  the  destruction  of 
the  hut^,  and  in  the  breaking  up  of  an  incampment  of 
runaway  negroes,  who,  in  the  vicinity  of  Savannah, 
had  been  committing  many  daring  outrages. 

Our  third  Captain  was  JosiAii  Tattnall,  J«.,  a 
name  famous  in  the  history  of  our  City  and  State,  and 
worthily  per}3etuatcd  in  the  person  of  his  noble  repre- 


OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  85 

sentative,  who,  up»n  the  quarter-deck,  at  Vera  Cruz,  at 
the  affair  of  the  Peiho,  and  elsewhere,  has  illustrated 
the  dignity  and  the  chivalrous  virtues  of  his  Father. 

Captain  Tattnall  was  successively  honored  with  the 
position  of  Colonel  of  the  Chatham  Regiment,  with  that 
of  Brigadier  General  of  the  First  Brigade,  of  the  First 
Division  —  and  with  a  seat  in  the  State  Legislature  at 
various  times.  He  afterwards  became  a  Member  of 
Congress,  and  finally  was  elevated  to  the  highest  office 
within  the  gift  of  his  admiring  fellow  citizens. 

Dying  in  the  "West  Indies  in  1804,  it  was  his  last  wish, 
that  his  body  should  be  brought  Jaome  and  interred  in 
the  bosom  of  that  State,  and  near  the  graves  of  those  he 
loved  so  well.  That  desire  has  been  gratified ;  and  he 
now  sleeps  beneath  the  solemn  shades  of  those  venerable 
Live  Oaks,  which-  in  commingled  grandeur  and  beauty, 
with  t,heir  over-arching  branches  protect  the  Cemetery 
at  Bonaventure,  long  the  family  seat  of  the  Tattnalls. 

He  was  succcded  in  the  command  by  James  Robert- 
son, who  was  duly  elected  Captain  on  the^th  July, 
1794. 

In  1793,  great  disturbances  prevailed  along  the  fron- 
tiers of  Georgia.  The  Creek  Indians  attacking  tho 
white  settlements  from  Clark  County  to  the  St.  Mary's 
River,  plundered  and  murdered  whenever  opportunity 
occujred.  The  citizens  of  Glynn  and  Camden  fled  to  tho 
Sea-Lslands  for  isolation  and  protection.  The  territory 
then  settled  by  the  whites,  was  bounded  West  by  the  Oco- 
nee River  to  the  Altamaha,  and  from  it3  junction  with 


86  SEVEXTT-FIFTH  AXN'IVERSARY 

the  Ocmulgee,  by  a  line  dra-wn  acrOis  to  the  St.  Mary's 
River,  The  few  inhabitants  of  at  present  Mcintosh 
and  Liberty  Counties  were  under  arms,  and  had  in  many 
instances  fortified  their  dwellings.  Two  men  had  re- 
cently been  killed  by  the  Indians  on  the  public  road  be- 
tween Riceboro  anc^  the  Ogeechee  River,  about  a  mile 
from  the  point  where  Mrs.  Fulton's  house  now  stands. 
Even  the  City  of  Savannah  was  believed  to  be  in  dan- 
ger, and  reports  were  in  circulation  that  the  Lower 
Creeks  were  preparing  to  cross  the  Great  Ogeechee  at 
the  place  now  occupied  by  Jenckes'  Bridge.  Under 
these  circumstances,  Hhe  Chatham  Light  Artillery,  (for 
that  was  then  the  name  of  our  Company,)  with  alacrity 
and  unanimity  tendered  their  services, —  to  march 
wheresoever  directed, — to  their  gallant  and  then  vet- 
eran Colonel,  Samuel  Hammond,  commanding  the 
Chatham  Regiment.  That  tender  was  accepted,  and  the 
Company  ordered  at  once  to  proceed  and  take  post  at 
the  plantation  of  Captain  Saunders,  in  Liberty  County, 
the  thenTnost  exposed  portion  of  the  settlements  v/hich 
had  not  been  deserted.  Twenty-nine  men  rank  and  file, 
under  the  command  of  then  Lieutenant  James  Robert- 
son, reported  immediately  for  this  duty.  We  have  now 
among  the  archives  of  our  Corps,  a  Muster  Roll  duly 
authenticated  and  bearing  date  the  28th  ^fny,  1793, 
containing  the  names  in  full  of  the  members  who  were 
then  in  active  service.  This  precious  relic  was  present- 
ed to  the  Company  in  1848,  by  the  late  lamented  and 
esteemed  Colonel  Joseph  "W.  Jackson. 


OF  THE  CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  87 

Thirteen  years  ago,  the  Hon.  Thomas  Spalding,  one 
of  the  early  members  of  our  Corps,  addressed  a  com- 
munication to  the  Company,  giving  us  his  recollections 
of  this  expedition.     I  quote  from  that  letter : 

"  The    Compan}'   marched   from   Savannah   at    four 

o'clock    in    the    afternoon,    and    reached    the    Widow 

» 

Young's,  about  eight  or  nine  miles  from  Savannah,  at 
dark.  As  they  had  no  tents,  the  members  sheltered 
themselves  under  her  buildings  during  the  night. 
The  next  morning  at  an  early  hour  we  marched,  and 
although  delayed  a  little  at  the  Ogecchee,  reached  Mid- 
way Meeting  House  after  dark  —  where  we  slept  that 
night,  upon  the  benches  of  the  Church.  The  Meeting 
House  was  then  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Road,  where 
the  Grave- Yard  now  stands.  The  House  was  built  of 
logs,  for  the  first  Meeting  House  had  been  burned  by 
General  Prevost,  during  the  Eevolutionary  War,  on 
the  same  dny  that  General  Charles  Scriven  fell,  for 
it  was  here  that  General  Charles  Scriven  died.  The 
next  day  we  marched  via  Riceboro',  that  our  officers 
might  see  what  provisions  were  procurable  at  that  place. 
There  was  a*  Stockade,  and  also  a  Block-House  at  the 
west-end  of  Riceboro',  into  which  the  villagers  might 
retire.  We  reached  Capt.  Sauxder's  about  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  We  found  himself,  with  a  few  armed 
men,  and  a  few  armed  negroes,  in  a  house  with  a  high 
brick  foundation, —  the  hou.se  weather-boarded  —  but 
filled  in  with  brick  between  the  frame  —  the  doors  and 
windows  well  barricaded,  and  furnished  with  port-holes. 


38  SEVEXTY-FIFT5  ANNIVERSARY 

It  was  unincumbered  with  piazzas  or  out  buildings,  and 
was  quite  defensible  against  small  arms.  That  night  wo 
remained  sheltered  under  his  roof;  but  the  next  day  we 
moved  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  where  his  barn  and 
overseer's  house  stood,  and  with  the  aid  of  his  negroes 
threw  up  a  light  entrenchment  around  both  buildings. 
The  negroes  occupied  the  barn  at  night,  and  we  slept  in 
the  overseer's  house.  One  half  of  our  force  scoured  the 
Countrv  every  day.  Our  morning  and  evening  gun 
echoed  through  the  woods.  There  we  spent  our  allotted 
time.  Our  commanding  officer,  Col.  Hammond,  visited 
us,  and  spent  two  days  with  us.  For  my  own  part,  I 
never  was  happier,  1  had  been  educated  in  Liberty 
County.  I  was  the  youngest  person  in  the  Corps.  My 
friends  loaded  me  with  kindness.  Mr.  Couper  sent  me 
brandy  and  sugar  from  Riceboro'.  Capt.  John  White- 
IIEAD  sent  me  mutton  and  other  things  from  his  planta- 
tion fourteen  miles  off.  Dr.  Henry  Wood  did  the 
same. 

"My  mess  consisted  of  Cuarles  Harriss,  James 
Alger,  William  Morris,  John  Y.  White,  and  Isaac 
LeGardere,  the  best  singer  and  the  best  v>ok  in  camp. 
Col.  Hammond  joined  our  mess  while  in  camp,  and 
all  was  peace  and  quietude  around  us  while  we  re- 
mained." 

Captain  Robertson  was  a  brave  man,  a  fine  officer, 
and  a^  accomplished  gentleman.  The  Corps  flourished 
under  his  command.  He  was  beloved  by  his  corps,  and 
respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 


OF  THE  CHATIIAil   ARTILLERY.  39 

Our  fifth  Captain,  was  Benjamin  "Wall,  a  mau  of 
courage,  of  great  physical  strength,  and  possessed  of 
remarkable  powers  of  endurance.  For  many  years  he 
efficiently  discharged  the  duties  of  United  States  Mar- 
shal for  this  District.  , 

The  Corps  at  this  time  and  for  a  long  period  subse- 
quent, paraded  regularly  once  a  month.  All  defaulters 
were  tried  by  a  Court  of  Enquiry.  Assemblages  of  the 
Company  were  held  at  the  Laboratory.  The  non-com- 
missioned offlccrs  were  annually  elected  on  the  first  of 
May  to  serve  for  the  term  of  one  year.  The  celebra- 
tions of  the  fourth  of  July,  and  the  first  of  May,  were 
generally  concluded  by  an  elegant  dinner  at  the  Labora- 
tory, where,  in  the  language  of  our  "minutes,"  Vie  hours 
vorre  spent  in  the  usual  harmony  and  good  fellowship  so 
characteristic  of  this  Company. 

The  uniform  of  the  Corps  was  at  this  time  v^y  like, 
if  not  quite  identical  with  the  old  Continental  uniform. 

Richard  M.  Stites,  the  son  of  a  captain  of  Artillery 
in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  was  our  next  commander. 
An  Attorney  by  profession — a  remarkably  accurate  con- 
veyancer, of  excellent  business  habits,  and  of  strict  pro- 
bity, he  was  for  many  years  in  the  enjoyment  of  an 
extensive  and  lucrative  practice.  He  died  in  1813.  In 
life,  he  secured  the  affectionate  regard  of  his  Company, 
and  was  respected  by  all  for  his  many  virtues.  In 
death,  his  memorj^  pleasant  to  his  friends,  and  cherished 
by  hia  former  Command,  is  not  forgotten.  • 

Robert  Mackay,  was  duly  elected  as  his  successor. 


40  SEVEXTY-FItTH   ANNIVERSARY 

A  m£inber  of  the  firm  of  Meiu,  Mackay  k  Co.,  —  one  of 
the  largest  and  most  influential  commercial  houses  of 
Savannah, —  he  was  noted  for  his  courtly  manners,  his 
uniform  amiability,  and  the  graces  of  his  person.  In 
fine,  he  was  the  accomQJli.shcd  gentleman. 

During  the  war  of  1S12,  the  first  Regiment  of  the 
Georgia  Militia  was  called  into  active  service  by  order 
of  Brigadier  General  Floyd.  Fort  Jackson  was  then 
occupied  by  a  Detachment  ^f  the  Chatham  Artiller}'. 
The  Company  was  also  engaged  in  the  construction  of 
lines  of  fortifications  enclosing  our  Cit}',  and  in  the  per- 
formance of  various  other  duties  required  of  them  in 
the  presence  of  the  enemy,  who  had  possession  of  the 
Coast  of  Georgia  by  Fleet  under  command  of  Admiral 
CocKBUKN,  and  of  the  adjacent  Islands  by  military 
forces  stationed  on  Cumberland  Island  and  its  vicinity. 

The  fortifications  then  erected  around  the  City  consist- 
ed of  earth-works,  with  batteries  mounted  upon  plat- 
forms at  irregular  intervals.  The  line  of  Fortifications 
commenced  near  the  intersection  of  Farm  Street  with 
the  liiver:  thence  running  South  along  the  Western 
edge  of  the  ridge  upon  which  the  City  was  built,  until 
it  reached  and  enclosed  Spring  Hill ;  thence  bending  to 
Efist  and  South  East,  it  surrounded  the  old  Jail ;  and 
thence  pursuing  a  North  Easterly  direction,  crossing 
East  Broad  Street  at  the  intersection  of  South  Broad 
Street,  until  it  reached  the  Magazine,  when  an  almost 
due  i^orth  course  conducted  it  along  the  brow  of  the 
hill  again  to  the  River.     Fort  Wayne,  then  in  existence 


OF   THE   CHATHAil   ARTILLERY.  41 

and  regularly  fortified,  occupied  the  present  site  of  tlio 
Gas  works. 

In  Januar}',  1815  the  Chatham  Artillery  with  the 
First  Regiment,  and  other  forces  raised  in  the  State,  was 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  re- 
mained on  duty  day  and  night,  until  peace  was  pro- 
claimed in  February  of  the  same  year. 

The  company  was  then  mustered  out  of  service  by 
Col.  Boot,  Inspector  Gerieral,  and  received  the  pay  of 
the  regular  Army, 

Our  eighth  commander,  was  William  Thorn  Wil- 
liams. (Elected  Dec.  10th,  1816.)  After  the  cessation  of 
hostilities  with  England,  wearied  with  the  continued 
routine  of  military  dut}',  and  busied  wnth  those  in- 
creased engagements  which  resulted  from  the  influx  of 
commerce,  and  the  transmission  of  the  accumulated 
agricultural  products  of  several  years,  the  Volunteer 
Organizations  of  our  City,  as  might  reasonably  be  ex- 
pected, suffered  some  diminution  in  their  numbers. 
Under  the  efficient  and  spirited  command  of  Capt.  .Wil- 
liams however,  the  Corps  soon  recovered  its  wonted 
strength  and  activity,  and  numbered  ujwn  its  Muster- 
Roll  the  names  of  Sixty-Three  active  members.  For 
eight  years  did  he  retain  the  sincere  respect  and  affec- 
tion of  the  Company,  and  then  resigned  his  commission, 
only  to  assume  the  responsible  duties  of  Major  of  the 
First  Regiment,  to  the  discharge  of  which  he  had  been 
called  by  the  unanimous  voice  of  bis  fellow  sdldiers. 
He  still  lives  in  the  happy  appreciation  of  those  picas- 


42  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY  * 

ures  which  arc  the  reward  of  a  well  spent  life,  and  here 
to-day,  tcstilies  by  his  liouored  presence,  his  abiding  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  his  former  Command.  He  will 
accept  the  heart- felt  assurances  of  our  unchanging  re- 
spect and  esteem. 

The  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Captain 
Williams,  was  filled  on  the  14th  December,  1824,  by 
the  election  of  Peter  Blois. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  M%rch,  1825,  our  City  was 
honored,  and  all  hearts  were  gladdened  by  a  visit  from 
General  LaFayette.  The  ovation  voluntarily  decreed 
by  young  and  old,  rich  and  poor,  bond  and  free,  was 
scconS  only  to  that,  which  thirty  four  years  before,  had 
been  extended  to  General  Washington. 

Time  and  your  patience  forbid  that  we  now  recount 
the  illustrious  ceremonies  of  that  day.  The  recollection 
of  them,  and  of  the  joys  which  they  imparted,  still  lives 
I  doubt  not  in  the  memory  of  some  whom  I  now  address, 
and  has  been  perpetuated  in  a  permanent  substantial 
form. 

In  full  ranks,  your  bosoms  throbbing  with  generous 
emotions,  you  my  Fellow  Soldiers,  participated  in  the 
splendid  military  display  which  greeted  his  coming. 
From  our  Washington  Guns  rang  out  the  deep-toned 
welcome  to  the  distinguished  Hero,  who,  after  the  lapse 
of  nearly  half  a  century,  revisited  the  scenes  of  his  early 
glory  and  renown. 

Deeming  this  a  fitting  opportunity  for  paying  a  tri- 
bute of  gratitude  which  had  been  already  too  long  de- 


OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.    *  43 

layed,  the  citizens  of  Savannah  determined  to  avail 
themselves  of  this  happy  and  interesting  occasion  to 
lay  the  corner-stones  of  two  monuments  to  be  there- 
after erected,  the  one  to  the  memory  of  General  Na- 
THANAEL  Greene,  who  was  justly  Considered  the  savior 
of  the  South  in  her  Revolutionary  struggle ;  and  the 
other  to  the  memory  of  the  brave  Pulaski,  who,  des- 
pairing of  the  cause  of  Liberty  in  his  own  country,  had 
sacrificed  his  life  while  contending  for  the  freedom  of 
ours.  In  the  presence  of  the  assembled  citizens  and  of 
the  soldiery, — «nder  the  most  attractive  circumstances, 
and  amid  the  approving  plaudits  of  our  well-trained 
battery,  those  corner-stones  were  placed  by  General 
LaFayette. 

Twenty -eight  years- afterwards  another  corner-stone 
was  laid,  upon  which  now  rests  the  beautiful  monument 
in  Monterey  Square.  A  national  salute  from  our  Com- 
pany,—  then  under  the  command  of*  Captain  Gallie, — 
concluded  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  imposing  civic 
and  military  pageants  ever  witnessed  in  Savannah. 

By  a  vote  of  Congress  it  had  been  resol'\||f3  that  a 
monument  should  be  erected  to  the  memory  of  Pulaskl 
Mr.  Gerry,  Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Harnett,  were 
appointed  a  Committee  to  carry  that  resolution  into 
effect  That  monument  was  never  erected ;  and  the  vote 
still  stands,  at  once  an  acknowledgment  of  the  services 
and  merits  of  a  brave  man,  and  to  a  'certain  extent  at 
least,  a  mortifying  illustration  of  the  forgetfulnesa  and 
the  ingratitude  of  Republics. 


44  SEVEXTY-FIFin   ANNIVERSARY 

It  was  reserved  for  Georgia, —  the  3'oungest  of  tbe 
"Original  Thirteen," — for  Savannah, —  the  City  whose 
soil  had  been  consecrated  by  the  outpouring  of  his 
generous  blood, — to  redeem  this  pledge  thus  given  and 
thus  neglected  by  the  General  Government,  and  to  testify 
her  grateful  appreciation  of  the  illustrious  services  and 
pure  devotion  of  Pulaski. 

Invoking  the  aid  of  a  Polish  Artist  to  embody  their 
gratitude  in  some  permanent  artistic  memorial,  the 
citizens  of  Savannah  caused  to  be  erected  in  one  of  the 
high  places  of  our  City,  a  monument,  which  in  its  purity 
of  conception, —  symmetry  of  outline, —  and  varied  at- 
tractions,—  rises  a  perfect  gem  of  art. 

Often  have  you  seen  it,  and  never  have  you  passed 
beneath  its  shadow,  without  pausing  to  give  expression 
to  those  ennobling  thoughts  which  its  presence  inspires. 

The  morning  sun  beams  kindly  upon  its  fair  propor- 
tions, infusing  into  'every  sculptured  line  new  life  and 
beauty.  Ilis  evening  rays  liVigcr  in  soft  radiance  about 
its  summit.  The  storm,  in  its  wild  career,  rufiles  not  a 
a  ftinglc  Dlume  of  that  puissant  eagle, —  the  symbolic 
bird  of  both  Poland  and  America, —  as  he  jealously 
guards  the  united  emblems  of  Poland  and  Georgia. 
The  lightning  of  Ileavcn  in  its  erratic  course,  harms  not 
ihe  Goddess  of  Liberty,  as  from  her  lofty  pedestal  she 
Iceeps  her  vestal  vigils. 

Standing  almost  upon  the  very  spot  where  fell  the 
Hero  whose  virtues  it  commemorates, — ever  repeating 
the  story  of  departed  greatness, —  ever  reminding  us  of 


OF  THE  CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  45 

the  glorious  recollections  of  our  Kevolutionary  period, 
ever  inspiring  the  men  of  our  times  with  veneration  for 
the  Past,  gratitude  for  the  Present,  and  fervent  hope  for 
the  uninterrupted  prosperity  of  the  Future,  it  will  re- 
main when  the  children  of  this  and  of  other  generations 
are  gathered  to  their  Fathers.  It  will  stand  amid  the 
changes  of  years,  and  the  revolutions  of  States,  a  noble 
monument  of  a  people's  gratitude,  more  vocal  in  the 
undying  memories  which  cluster  about  it,  than  the 
fabled  statue  of  Memnon. 

On  the  secoijd  day  of  February,  1826,  Charles  M. 
King  was  dul}^  elected  Captain  of  our  Corps,  and  for  a 
period  of  six  years  retained  its  active  command.  Our 
battery  then  consisted  of  twQ  four-pounder  brass  pieces, 
and  the  Washington  Guns.  The  four  stated  parades, 
on  the  8th  January,  22d  February,  1st  May,  and  4th 
July,  were  regularly  observed.  Target  practice  on  the 
22d  February.  A  detachment  of  the  Corps  alwaj's  on 
alarm  duty, —  the  alarm-post  being  fixed  at  the  Labora- 
tory, and  the  signal  agreed  upon  for  the  immediate 
assemblage  of  the  Corps  \n  the  event  of  anv  unusual 
disturbance  or  danger,  the  discharge  of  three  guns  jn 
quick  succession. 

Ex-Captain  King  still  lives,  and  although  at  quite  a 
remove  from  us,  never  forgets,  on  the  recurrence  of  our 
Anniversary-,  to  assure  the  Company  of  his  sincere  re- 
membrance of,  and  abiding  interest  ii*  their  every  well- 
fSare. 

Our  eleventh  Captain  was  Charles  Stephens.    En- 


46  SEVENTY-FIFTn   ANNIVERSARY  • 

tering  the  Army  at  an  early  age,  he  served  as  Ensign  of 
Infantry  in  the  South-West.  Advanced  to  the  rank 
of  Lieutenant,  he*  was  present  at  Pcnsacola  when  the 
British  were'  compelled  by  the  forces  under  General 
Jackson  to  evacuate  the  harbor  and  blow  up  Fort 
Barancas.  He  was  subsequently  stationed  on  the  Missis- 
sippi River  as  an  Adjutant  of  one  of  the  regular  regi- 
nients  of  Infantry,  when  New-Orleans  was  attacked  by 
the  English  forces  under  Packeniiam,  on  the  ever 
memorable  8th  January  1815.  Important  services  were 
also  rendered  by  him  under  General  Andrew  Jackson 
during  the  Indian  "Wars. 

He  brought  to  the  discharge  of  the  duties  devolving 
upon  him  as  the  Captain  of  our  Corps,  social  qualifica- 
tions of  no  ordinary  character,  a  fine  military  expe- 
rience, and  an  ai)titude  for  command.  The  Company 
flourished. 

In  1835.  serious  hostilities  occurred  between  the 
Whites  and  the  Indians  in  Florida.  Obeying  the  im- 
pulses of  his  brave,  generous  heart,  he  accepted  the 
command  of  a  Detachment  of  Volunteers,  and  with  our 
then  First  Lieutenant  Nicoll,  and  a  battery  of  two 
pieces,  immediately  repaired  to  Picolata.  The  efficient 
services  there  rendered  by  him  were  appreciated  by  all, 
and  elicited  marked  and  well  merited  expressions  of 
approbation  and  commendation  from  General  Clinch. 

Although  unable  in  an  organized  capacity  to  accom- 
pany their  Captain  upon  this  expedition,  our  Corps  was 
not  unmindful  of  him  during  his  absence.     In  pursu- 


OF  THE  CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  47 

ance  of  a  resolution  adopted  on  the  3rd  February,  1836, 
a  quantity  of  excellent  wine  was  purchased  and  for- 
warded to  him  by  the  steamboat  Florida. 

In  1838,  when  difficulties  of  a  grave  cfearacter  were 
apprehended  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  the  following 
resolution  was  unanimousl}^  passed,  and  a  copy  forwarded 
to  the  Goverii^:  "that  this  Company  will  cheerfully 
respond  to  any  call  his  Excellency  the  Governor  shall 
make  upon  us." 

The  Chatham  Artillery, —  under  the  command  of 
then  Lieutenant  Gallie, —  in  1844,  made  an  excursion 
to  Macon,  and  were  generously  received  and  delightfully 
entertained  by  the  Volunteer  military  organizations  of 
that  City. 

In  July,  1845,  we  fired  a  salute  of  seventy-eight 
minute  guns  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning — another 
salute  of  seventy-eight  guns  at  mid-day  —  and  a  similar 
salute  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  as  a  last  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Ex-President  Andrew 
Jackson. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  May,  1846,-=- upon  the  occasion 
of  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the  United 
States  and  Mexico, —  the  following  resolution  was  unan- 
imously adopted  by  the  Corps:  "Resolved,  That  the 
Commanding  Ofiicer  inform  his  Excellency  the  Governor 
of  the  State,  that  the  Chatham  Artillery  do  now,  as 
always,  bold  themselves  in  readiness  to  respond  promptly 
to  any  call  that  may  be  made  upon  them,  to  execute 
the  laws,  suppress  insurrection,  or  repel  invasion. 


43  SEVEXTV-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY  , 

The  corner-stone  of  our  present  Armory  Building  was 
laid,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  on  the  seventh  of  Sep- 
tember,* 1847, — an  oration  on  the  occasion  being  pro- 
nounced by«Privat«  James  "\V.  I^hestox;  Ex-Captain 
Williams  adjusting  the  stone,  and  apph'ing  the  trowel. 

For  a  period  of  f^venteen  years  did  Capt.  Stephens 
faithfully,  eflicientl}'-,  and  honorably  reta0  the  command 
of  our  Corps.  I  need  not  remind  you,  my  Fellow 
Soldiers,  of  the  firm  and  almost  unbounded  attachment 
with  which  he  regarded  our  organization.  We  owe 
much  to  him.  The  life  of  our  social  meetings  —  full 
of  the  warmest  friendship  for  each  member  of  the 
Corps, —  the  very  soul  of  harmonj', —  appreciating  the 
pleasures  and  forgetting  not  the  duties  which  belong  to 
the  efficient  commander  of  a  time-honored  Company, — 
filling  with  distinction  the  high  po.sition  of  the  citizen 
soldier, — his  memory  lives  in  the  history  of  our  Corps, 
and  in  the  happy  recollection  of  many  of  you  my 
Brother  Artillerists. 

Almost  the  last  act  of  his  life,  was  on  the  8th  January 
immediately  preceding  his  lamented  demise,  rising  from 
his  couch,  to  put  on  his  uniform,  and  with  trembling 
footstep — trembling,  because  the  image  of  the  grave  was 
already  foreshadowed  in  his  weakened  frame  —  appear 
upon  the  balcony  of  his  residence,  that  he  might  receive 
and  acknowledge  the  salute  of  his  beloved  command. 

It  was  a  sad  day  when  with  measured  tread,  and 
muffied  drum,  we  followed  his  lifeless  form  to  that  silent 
and  lonely  dwelling  prepared  for  all  the  living. 


•  OF  THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  49 

On  the  tenth  of  February,  1849,  we  duly  elected  as 
OUT  next  Commander,  Lieutenant  John  B.  Gallie. 

I  may  not  now  allude  to  the  many  virtues,  and  the 
signal  excellencies  of  our  esteemed  Ex-Captain.  He  is 
with  us  to  day,-  and  in  his  presence  it  becomes  me  sim- 
ply to  mention  his  name,  to  awaken  in  your  bosoms 
responsive  memories  sincerely  cherished.  The  ties 
which  bind  us  to  him,  arc  not  and  cannot  be  severed; 
for  although  in  the  command  of  the  Savannah  Artillery, 
—  our  younger  sister,  of  dignified  mien,  and  stately 
tread,  —  he  still  wears  our  uniform,  and  we  look  with 
pleasure  and  with  pride  to  his  name  still  written  upon^ 
the  honorary  ligt  of  our  Company.  Long  may  he  live, 
infusing  into  his  new  command,  that  esprit  de  Corps, 
that  discipline,  and  that  fraternal  feeling  so  characteris- 
tic of  the  old. 

Accepting  the  invitation  of  the  Washington  Light 
Artillery  to  unite  with  them  in  the  celebration  of  the 
anniversary  of  Washington's  birth-day,  we  repaired  to 
Charleston  in  February,  1850,  were  there  reviewed  by 
Governor  Seabrook,  and  for  two  days  became  the  re- 
cipients of  lavish  hospitalities,  and  distinguished  courte- 
sies, at  the  hands  of  the  Military  Organizations  of  our 
Sister  City.  • 

The  year  following,  our  company  was  called  upon  to 
mourn  the  death  of  its  oldest  member,  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Spaldixo. 

In  Juno,  1852,  in  eonprqiKnce  of  ccnam  mriTKrri  (iis- 
turbances,  and  continued  acts  of  l.'iw1p<;<;r)css  perpetrated 


50  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ANNIVERSARY 

within  the  limits  of  Savannah  bj  unknown  parties,  the 
Chatham  Artillery  entered  upon  the  performance  of 
active  patrol  duty  at  night,  in  the  streets,  and  upon  the 
ourskirts  of  the  Cit}',  with  marked  benefit  to  the  peace 
and  good  order  of  our  community. 

The  same  year,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the 
Citizens  of  Liberty  County,  a  Detachment  of  our  Com- 
pany inarched  to  Midway  Meeting  House,  and  there 
fired  a  salute  of  One  Hundred  guns,  in  commemoration 
of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  that 
County. 

In  addition  to  the  attractions  which  attended  the 
celebration  of  the  22d  February,  1853,  .we  sliould  men- 
tion the  association  of  the  Chatham  Artiller}-,  the  Re- 
publican Blues,  and  the  Savannah  Volunteer  Guards 
into  a  volunteer  military  organization  known  as  The 
Washington  Legion. 

Although  we  have  been  compelled  reluctantly  to  part 
with  the  Savannah  Volunteer  Guards,  that  Legion  still 
exists,  an  honorable  bond  of  friendship  between  the 
members  who  compose  it,  —  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
the  illustrious  Hero  whose  name  it  bears  —  and  a  source 
of  unfeigned  pride  to  our  City.  Long  may  that  union 
last,  each  returning  anni(v^ersary,  with  its  accompanying 
pleasures,  serving  but  to  knit  even  more  closelj',  —  if 
that  were  possible, — the  ties  which  bind  the  Republican 
Blues  and  the  Chatham  Artillery  in  the  bonds  of  a  com- 
mon Brotherhood. 

Our  thirteenth  Commander,  was  the  Hon.  John  E, 


OF   THE   CHATHAM  ARTILLERY.  51 

"Ward, — one  whom  our  Company,  our  City,  our  State, 
and  the  United  States  have  delighted  to  honor.  Wheth- 
er in  the  social  circle,  at  the  Bar,  in  the  Legislative 
Halls,  or  as  a  Minister  Plenipotentiary  in  a  far  distant 
Country,  he  has  in  each  and  every  position  illustrated 
the  virtues  of  the  great,  and  reflectifed  credit  upon  the 
land  which  gave  him  birth.  The  last  sounds  that  fell 
upon  his  car,  when  leaving  his  native  State  upon  his 
recent  mission,  —  a  mission  which  he  has  so  signally 
accomplished,  —  were  tlie  farewell  notes  of  our  battery ; 
and  among  the  welcoming  hands  and  the  sincere  gratu- 
lations  which  awaited  his  return, — none  were  warmer, 
none  truer,  than  those  extended  by  his  old  comrades  of 
the  Chatham  Artillery. 

On  the  12th  May,  1856,  our  Company  with  marked 
ceremonies,  paid  their  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  our  illustrious  member  George  M.  Troup. 

On  the  20th  July,  1858,  my  Fellow  Soldiers,  we 
unanimously  elected  our  present  worthy,  efficient,  and 
beloved  Commander,  Joseph  S.  Claghorx. 

I  may  not  now  pause  my  Comrades,  to  give  expres- 
sion to  those  emotions  of  especial  pride,  and  of  pleasure 
which  fill  your  breasts,  at  bare  mention  of  his  name. 
Our  well  filled  ranks,  —  our  discipline,  —  our  subordi- 
nation, —  the  deep  seated  attachment  which  we  bear  for 
our  organization,. —  and  the  fraternal  feeling  existing 
among  our  membership,  —  all  attest  the  efficiency,  and 
the  happy  influence  of  his  command.  Your  brightening 
eyes  do  but  feebly  express  the  sincere  esteem,  respect, 


52  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 

and  affection,  which  "wc  all,  Officers  and  Privates,  enter- 
tain for  him.  Long  n\ay  he  grace  the  uniform  he  wears, 
and  wield  the  sword  of  command  which  this  day  he 
boars. 

The  uniform  of  our  Corps,  originally  nearly  allied  to 
the  "Old  Continental," — in  which  the  swallow  tail  coat 
with  its  buff  trimmings,  the  yellow  vest  with  heavy  side 
pockets  —  knee-breeches,  and  old-fashioned  cocked-hat, 
played  such  important  parts,  —  was  essentially  modified 
in  the  early  part  of  this  century.  It  was  again  changed 
to  a  considerable  extent  in  1832,  and  subsequently  in 
1835;  finally  assuming  those  engaging  and  striking 
characteristics,  which  render  it  so  unique,  dignified,  and 
attractive.  Until  within  a  comparatively  recent  period, 
the  cap  used,  consisted  of  a  tall  leather  Hat,-^  profusely 
ornamented  with  gilt  mountings,  —  large  gilt  eagle  in 
front,  —  and  heavy  scale  ;  from  a  brass  socket  some  two 
and  a  half  inches  high,  flowing  a  beautiful  fountain 
plume  of  scarlet  horse  hair.  The  wnngs  then  worn, 
consisted  of  yellow  sheep-skin  rolls.  The  present  ele- 
gant and  imposing  Chapeau,  with  its  graceful  plume  of 
scarlet  ostrich  feathers,  was  adopted  on  the  4th  April, 
1843 :  our  present  wings,  on  the  7th  Octoljer,  1847, 
and  the  present  belt,  sword,  and  fatigue  cap  in  1854. 

Need  I  here  recall  my  Fellow  Soldiers,  the  pleasant 
memories  which  cluster  in  such  rich  profusion  about 
our  Nashville  excursion  in  June,  1859?  Ilave  you 
forgotten  the  distinguished  mai-ks  of  consideration  at- 
tending us  everywhere,  both  upon  our  journey  to,  and 


OF   THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  53 

onr  return  from  the  "  City  of  the  Rocks"  ?  Have  you 
forgotten  that  universal  welcome',  —  a  welcome  flowing 
alike  from  the  open  hearts  of  manly  forms,  and  the  ten- 
der bosoms  of  beautiful  women  and  children  in  gala 
attire,  scattering  flowers  which  mingled  their  sweet  per- 
fumes with  the  happy  greeting;  —  a  welcome,  the  trib- 
ute of  a  generous  people,  —  recognized  in  the  living 
shouts  of  joy  which*  rent  the  air,  as  with  banners  flying, 
and  amid  the  discharge  of  Artillery,  we  made  our  little 
less  than  triumphal  entry  into  that  City?  Have  you 
forgotten  the  numberless  attentions  lavished  upon  us 
during  our  sojourn  of  three  days  among  those  beautiful 
hills,  and  within  the  shadow  of  that  Capitol,  in  its  puri- 
ty of  conception,  symmetry  of  form,  and  calm  quiet 
repose,  reminding  of  the  Parthenon  ^t  Athens?  Have 
you  ceased  to  remember  that  memorable  visit  to  the 
Hermitage,  when,  within  the  precincts  of  its  consecrated  • 
garden,  with  uncovered  heads  and  in  silence,  we  gather- 
ed around  the  tomb  of  Jackson,  and  there  paid  our 
heartfelt  tribute  of  respect  and  veneration  for  the  memory 
of  one  of  the  noblest  and  bravest  men  into  whose  breast 
the  God  of  battles  ever  infused  the  living  spaik?  Have 
you  forgotten  the  holy  influence  of  that  room  in  which 
the  old  Hero  fought  his  last  battle,  and  from  which  his 
disenthralled  spirit  rose  triumphant  over  death  and  the 
grave?  Have  you  ceased  to  remember  the  glad  wel- 
come extended  by  our  brother  members  of  the  Volun- 
teer Corps  of  this  City,  upon  our  return?  Xo  my 
Comrades,   these  pleasant  recollections,  with   all   their 


5-1  SEVENTY-FIFTH   AXXIVERSARY 

bright  concomitants,  are,  and  will  be,  ever  cherished  by 
us  anu)ng  the  happiest>  memories  of  our  Corps, 

And  how  shall  I  commemorate  your  recent  services  in 
l>chalf  of  the  State,  and  of  our  Southern  Confederacy, 
in  the  occupation  of  Fort  Pulaski?  How  shall  we  suf- 
ficiently admire  the  alacrity  and  the  zeal  with  which 
3'ou  responded  to  the  first  call  of  his  Excellency,  the 
Governor,  and  forsaking  the  attractions  of  home,  disre- 
garding the  claims  of  private  interests,  and  turning 
away  from  the  allurements  of  pleasure,  repaired  at  a 
moments  warning  to  the  post  of  duty  and  of  honor? 

That  post  of  honor  and  of  duty  was  also  believed,  my 
brave  Comrades,  to  be  the  post  of  danger;  and  although 
that  tour  of  self-sacrifice,  of  protracted  labor,  and  of 
rigid  discipline  paf^ed  without  bringing  with  it  the  car- 
nage of  battle  and  the  alarms  of  actual  warfare,  we  have 
*the  satisfaction  of  knowing,  and  of  realizing  in  our  in- 
most souls,  that  we  stood  prepared  to  brave  every  peril 
in  the  defence  of  the  honor  of  our  State  and  Confedera- 
cy, —  in  the  maintenance  of  the  exalted  rights  and 
ennobling  principles  for  which  we  were  contending,  — 
and  in  the  protection  of  the  peace  and  the  security  -of 
our  beloved  City. 

In  after  years,  when  the  rough-hewn  image  of  the 
present  shall  have  risen  into  all  the  beauty,  dignity,  and 
proportion  of  a  perfect  masterpiece,  —  when  present 
labors  shall  have  secured  their  rich  rewards,  —  when 
our  aims  and  purposes  shall  have  achieved  their  legiti- 
mate and  glorious  results,  —  when  the  land  shall  be 


OF  THE   CnATlIAM  ARTILLERY.  65 

flooded  with  the  noon-tide  effulgence  of  our  newly  risen 
sun,  another  orator,  upon  another  anniversary  occasion, 
shall  find  in  the  memories  of  this  day,  and  in  the  gener- 
ous, hightoned,  patriotic  actions  of  this  period,  a  theme, 
whose  praise  may  well  demand  and  exhaust  his  proud- 
est powers. 

Thus  my  Fellow  Soldiers  have  we  briefly  alluded  to 
some  of  the  more  prominent  recollections,  which  are 
suggested  by  a  review  of  the  history  of  our  venerable 
and  beloved  Corj^s.  We  have  looked  only  at  the  scat- 
tered hill-tops  as  it  were,  upon  which  the  light  of  history 
has  rested.  Time  and  the  patience  of  this  respected 
auditory  forbid  that  we  stoojD  to  gather  the  sweet  flowers 
of  memory  springing  ^erywhere,  and  exhaling  their 
delicate  perfumes  in  that  gentler  sunshine,  which  nestles 
80  softly  in  the  quiet,  retired  valleys.  And  yet,  in  view 
of  even  this  hasty  retrospect,  where  amid  your  well 
filled  detachments,  the  eye  that  does  not  kindle  at  sight 
of  these  recollections  ?  Where  the  heart  that  does  not 
feel  prepared  anew  to  consecrate  its  affections,  and  to 
contribute  its  energies  in  perpetuating  the  good  name, 
Wq  dignity,  and  the  every  welfare  of  our  time  honored 
Organization?  Where  the  Cannonier,  who  fails  to  re- 
cognize the  more  than  ordinary  obligations  resting  upon 
him,  intelligently  and  bravely  to  discharge  the  duties 
which  he  has  a-ssumed  as  a  citizen  soldier,  and  as  a  Mem- 
ber of  the  Chatham  Artillery  ? 

The  attachment  which  binds  us  to  our  Company,  — 
a  Company,  upon  whose  blazon   age,  and  honor,  and 


.^6  FEVENTV-FIITII    ANNTVKHSAltV 

patriotism,  and  friendship,  and  virtue  have  placed  their 
seals  of  consecration,  — is  peculiar  in  its  character,  and 
finds  within  your  heart  of  hearts  iu  its  quiet  apjireeiated 
power,  a  readier  recognition  than  in  any  description 
which  I  might  attempt. 

For  myself,  there  is  a  magic  influence  in  the  simple 
presence  of  that  magnificent  uniform,  —  a  magic  influ- 
ence in  the  warm  grasp,  denoting  the  fellowship  which 
exists  between  brother  members  of  the  Chatham  Artil- 
lerv,  —  a  magic  influence  in  the  proud  memories  which 
belong  to  our  Corps,  and  in  the  recollections  of  the  life- 
history  of  many  who  have  fostered,  and  who  have  been 
connected  with  our  organization.  There  is  an  ackowl- 
edged  power  in  the  intelligent  comprehension  of  the 
causes  which  gave  us  being,  and  of  the  ennobling  objects 
w^hich  have  continued  our  existence.  These  attachments 
shall  know  no  change  until  this  beating  heart  forgets  its 
emotions,  —  until  these  eyes  shall  kindle  no  longer  at 
accustomed  sight  of  friendships  prized,  at  thought  of 
associations  cherished.  And  when  this  uniform  shall 
be  exchanged  for  the  habiliments  of  the  grave,  I  pra^ 
you,  my  Brothers,  forget  not  the  last  funeral. parac 
forget  not  the  last  solemn  salute  from  our  single  gun. 

Need  I  delay  you  longer  my  Comrades,  to  name  the 
fraternal  feeling,  unaffected  by  the  excitement  of  politics, 
—  unchanged  by  the  revei^es  of  fortune,  which  has 
always  characterized  the  intercourse  between  the  mem- 
bers of  our  Company  ?  Shall  I  here  commemorate  the 
high   regard  which  we  have  ever   entertained  for  the 


ray 


OF  TEE  CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  57 

Other  volunteer  Military  Organizations  of  our  City,  — 
tlie  entire  absence  of  everything  savoring  of  jealousy  or 
rivalry,  —  and  the  unfeigned  pleasure  with  which  we 
have  always  welcomed  their  and  our  guests  from  abroad ; 

—  or  bring  to  your  remembrance  the  special  enjoyments 
experienced  on  gala  occasions,  upon  the  parade,  at  tar- 
get practice,  or  around  the  festive  board  ?  Shall  I 
point  you  to  that  catalogue  of  membership  running  un- 
broken through  Seventy-five  years,  chronicling  the 
names  of  many  whom  not  only  we  ourselves,  but  our 
City,  our  State,  and  the  nation  have  delighted  to  honor? 
Do  you  forget  the  marked  privileges  conferred  upon 
our  Corps  by  special  Legislative  enactment  ? 

Shall  I  point  you  to  the  dignity  and  the  responsibili- 
ties with  which  the  Citizen  Soldier  at  this  period,  and  in 
this  Country,  is  invested; — or  remind  3'ou  of  the  fact, 
that  volunteer  military  organizations  like  our  own,  are, 
and  must  be  identified  with  the  civilization  of  the  age; 

—  that  to  them  must  we  look,  especially  at  this  time, 
for  a  practical  illustration  of  heroic  virtue,  and  of  self- 
Bacrificing  devotion? 

Need  I  dwell  upon  the  peculiar  excellencies  of  the 

Artillery,  as  perhaps  the  most  important  arm  of  military 

service,  particularly  during  the  present  crisis,  and  in 

our  immediate  section  of  the  Country;  —  or  bring  to 

your  contemplation  the  stem  duties,  and  the  dangerous 

engagements  which  we  may  be  called  upon  to  perform  ? 

Most  willingly  Brother  Soldiers  would  1  enter  upon  the 

portrayal,  did  I  not  feel  assured  that  this  would  be  a 
a 


68  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 

work  of  supererrogation.  You  have  jour  pledges  for 
the  Future,  in  your  recorded  vouchers  of  the  Past.  Ee- 
membering  the  consecrated  recollections,  and  the  proud 
memories  of  former  years,  appreciating  the  responsibili- 
ties of  the  present,  you  will  continue  to  declare  your 
manhood  in  time  to  come. 

I  may  not  now  enter  upon  an  analysis  of  the  peculiar 
questions  involved  in  this  present  crisis.  They  have 
been  already  time  and  again  fully  discussed.  They  are 
intelligently  comprehended.  Principles  of  Justice,  of 
Equality,  of  Property,  of  Honor,  of  Humanity,  of  Reli- 
gion, are  all  at  stake;  and  he  who  will  not  in  their 
maintenance  follow  where  his  intuitive  sense  of  duty, 
of  right,  and  of  hightoned  manhood  must  lead  him,  de- 
serves not  the  name  of  freeman.  If  faint  hearts  are 
looking  back,  it  is  too  late  to  retire  from  the  contest. 
Good  men,  the  wise,  the  highmindcd,  the  brave,  all  urge 
to  heroic  action.  The  God-speed  of  the  reverend  Clergy 
goes  with  us.  Our  Wives,  and  Daughters,  and  Moth- 
ers bid  us  onward.  Our  Country  calls  upon  her  Sons  to 
bare  their  breasts  in  her  defence. 

Inspired  by  the  holy  principles  we  espouse,  — in  sight 
of  the  homes  of  those  we  love,  and  of  the  green  graves 
of  our  fothers,  —  nerved  in  the  sacred  cause  of  Liberty, 
of  Truth,  and  of  Independence,  we  are  invincible  by 
any  force  a  malignant,  blinded,  and  fanatical  enemy  may 
send  against  us. 


OF  THE   CHATHAM    ARTILLERY.  69 

The  Lord  of  old  for  Jacob  fought, 
And  Jacob's  God  is  still  our  aid 
*        *        «        «        *        * 

In  his  salvation  is  our  hope  : 
And  in  the  name  of  Israel's  GWd 
Our  troops  shall  lift  their  banners  up, 
Our  Navies  spread  their  flags  abroad. 

Heaven  only  knows  how  long  or  how  thickly  our 
skies  may  be  overcast.  But  of  this  we  may  rest  assured, 
that  although  the  night  be  dark,  the  morning  with  all 
its  gladsome  light,  and  joy,  and  sunshine,  will  eventu- 
ally dawn  upon  ns.  Our  Brothers  are  already  in  the 
field.  The  answering  shores  of  South  Carolina,  and  the 
echoing  waves  of  Charleston  Harbor,  are  proclaiming 
aloud  the  greatness  of  their  deeds.  The  God  of  battles 
smiling  upon  their  patriotic  chivalrous  struggle,  sent 
them  the  victory,  and  the  Flag  of  these  Confederate 
States  now  floats  in  beauty  and  in  triumph  from  the 
parapets  of  Fort  Sumter. 

Virginia,  the  Mother  of  Heroes,  and  Patriots,  and 
Statesmen,  raises  her  approving  voice,  and  joins  us  in 
our  glofious  mission.  North-Carolina,  Tennessee,  Mary- 
land, Arkansas,  and  Kentucky  are  preparing  to  assert 
their  sovereignty,  and  declare  their  sympathy  with  their 
sister  Southern  States.  Thus  act  succeeds  act  in  this 
wonderful  drama,  and  we  now  stand  in  the  eye  of  a 
regenerated  age,  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and 
terrible  as  an  army  with  banners.  Should  the  policy  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  and  his  Black  Republican  Administration 


60  SEVENTY-FIFTU   ANNIVKKSAUY 

be  carried  into  eflfect,  and  the  pure  waters  of  our  Rivera 
and  Harbors  be  defiled  by  the  presence  of  blockading 
fleets,  we  much  mistake  the  metal  of  this  Southern  Con- 
federacy, and  the  character  of  our  esteemed  President, — 
at  once  Soldier  and  Statesman, —  if  a  great  Southern 
Army,  attracting  as  it  advances  the  good  men  and  true 
of  every  section,  shall  not  be  soon  upon  the  march, 
whose  mission  it  shall  be,  to  rescue  the  tomb  of  Wash- 
ington from  ihc  pollution  of  a  fanatical  rule,  and  if 
need  be,  to  plant  our  standard  upon  the  dome  of  the 
Capitol  at  Washington. 

Let  the  Black  Ilepublicans  rave  among  the  cold  hills 
of  their  native  States,  and  grow  mad  at  home  with 
entertainment  of  heresies,  of  infidelity,  and  of  abstract 
conceptions  of  a  "higher  law,"  but  in  God's  name,  let 
them  never  in  hostile  array,  attempt  to  set  foot  upon 
this  our  land  of  sunshine,  of  high-soulcd  virtue,  and  of 
liberty. 

Profoundly  realizing  the  fact,  that  our  first  obligations 
are  due  at  home,  and  near  our  family  altars ;  that  for 
their  pretection  was  our  organization  formed  ; —  our 
battery  fully  apix)inted  and  ready  for  action, —  our  cais- 
sons well  filled  with  cartridges,  prepared  by  the  patriotic 
labors  of  our  fair  country-women, —  with  hearts  beating 
calmly,  yet  firmly  beneath  this  inspiring  uniform, — 
we,  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  Chatham  Artillery, 
do  hereby  most  solemnly  pledge,  whenever  this  our  soil 
is  invaded,  or  these  our  liberties  are  threatened,  to  the 
defence  of  you,  our  beloved  Mothers,  Wives,  Daughters, 


OF   THE   CHATHAM   ARTILLERY.  61 

Sisters,  to  the  safe-guard  of  our  beloved  city,  and  to  the 
support  of  our  new-born  Confederacy,  our  lives,  our  for- 
tunes, and  our  sacred  honors. 

My  eyes  rest  upon  the  banner  fashioned  by  the  hand 
of  beauty,  hallowed  by  the  labors,  the  smiles  and  the 
good  wishes  of  the  Wives  and  Daughters  of  our  Non- 
commissioned Officers,  which  has  this  morning  been 
placed  by  them  a  holy  trust  in  our  keeping. 

Upon  its  silken  folds  are  displayed  in  simple  and  yet 
most  impressive  form,  the  Stars  and  Stripes  —  emblem- 
atic alike  of  all  that  was  true,  virtuous,  brave,  equal,  and 
patriotic  in  the  old  Union,  and  of  all  that  is  ennobling, 
hopeful,  and  chivalrous  in  the  aspirations  of  our  young 
and  glorious  Confederacy.  With  pride  and  in  honor,  my 
Fellow  Soldiers,  you  have  rallied  around  your  former 
standards  in  sunshine  and  in  storm.  You  will  cherish 
this  with  a  devotion,  which  will  kindle  anew  with  every 
recurring  year. 

Upon  the  fair  name  of  our  time-honored  Corps  there 
rests  not  a  single  stain;  and  here,  my  Comrades,  with 
all  the  ennobling  recollections  of  the  Past  crowding 
thick  and  fast  upon  me, —  in  full  view  of  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  Present, —  and  with  a  firm  reliance  upon 
the  successful  issues  of  the  Future, —  in  the  presence  of 
these  fair  Ladies,  who  have  honored  our  Celebration 
with  their  approbation  and  their  smiles, —  in  the  pres- 
ence of  these  esteemed  witnesses, —  in  this  the  morning 
of  our  new  Nntionalify, —  and  upon  this  our  Seventy- 
Fifth  Anniversary,  for  you,  for  myself,  as  Citizen  Sol- 


62  SEVEN'TY-FIprH   ANNIVERSARY 

diers,  I  desire  to  renew  the  oath  of  allegiance  which 
binds  us  to  our  Company,  to  our  City,  to  our  State, 
and  to  our  Country. 

Let  but  the  emergency  come,  and  by  all  that  is  sacred, 
by  all  that  we  hold  dear,  this  Banner  shall  wave  in 
triumph  over  our  conquering  heads;  drooping  only, 
when  the  carnage  of  the  battle  has  left  not  an  eye  to 
kindle  at  its  presence,  not  an  arm  to  be  lifted  in  its  pro- 
tection. 


Marching  from  the  Theatre,  to  tlie  Residence  of  Lieu- 
tenant Jones,  the  Corps  there  partook  of  a  glass  of  wine 
with  biin,  and  thence  proceeded  to  the  Eastern  extremi- 
ty of  the  Bay,  where  a  salute  of  Eight  guns  was  fired 
in  honor  of  the  day.  • 

Returning  to  the  Armory,  the  Guns  were  parked,  and 
the  Corps  dismissed. 

The  parade  of  this  day  was  the  largest  ever  made  in 
the  history  of  the  Company. 

The  following  is  a  complete  Roll  of  the  present  mem- 
bership of  the  Chatham  Artillery. 


R  O  LL' 


Cltatliam   SHilUvn, 


May   1,   1861. 


Captain. 
JOSEPH  S.  CLAGHORN. 

lituttnants. 

Ist— CHARLES  C.  JONES,  Jr.  2d— JULIAN   HARTRIDGE. 

3d— WILLIAM  M.  DAVIDSON. 

» 

I9t— THOMAS  A.  ASKEW.  3d— SAMUEL  P.  BELL. 

2d— JOHN  GAMMELL.  4th— JAMES  H.  DEMUND. 

Corporals. 
l8t— S.  PARKMAN  HALSEY.        3d— BENJAMIN  H.  HARDEE. 
2d— JOHN  F.  WHEATON.  4th— JACOB  F.  DOE. 

0     lantt  Corporals. 
JOHN  0.  DEITZ.  JOHN  A.  LEWIS. 

JAMES  A.  COURVOISIE.  SAMUEL  B.  PALMER. 

GEORGE  A.  WHITEHEAD. 


64 


SEVENTY-FIFTH   ANNIVERSARY 


|3iibatts. 


Bailey,  Frederick  "W. 
Bertody,  Thomas  D.  , 
Bilbo,  John 
Bliss,  Alfred 
Bogart,  William  S. 
Boston,  John 
Butler,  Osceola 
Callahan,  Daniel 
Cannon,  Charles 
Cevor,  Charles 
Charlton.  Andrew  H. 
Christian,  Henry  R. 
Coolidgo,  William 
Crawford,  Robert  A. 
Cunningham,  Thomas  If. 
Daniel,  John  S. 
Dickson,  William  G. 
Dumas,  Henry  B. 
Einstein,  Abraham 
Estabrook,  George  C. 
Falligant,  Louis  A. 
Farr,  Joseph  M. 
Finlayson,  John 
Garden,  Frederick  A. 
Gaudry,  Julius  B. 
Gray,  Patrick 
Gray,  Willie  G. 
Greiner.  Cliarles  A. 
Guerard,  John  M. 
Guilmartin,  Laurence  J. 
Hackett,  Elisha  L. 
Harden,  William  D. 
Hartridge,  Alfred  L. 
Hertz,  Frederick  E. 
Horton,  Humphrey  P. 
Johnston,  John  M. 
Johnson,  George  0. 


Johnson,  Elliott  C. 
Johnson,  Warren 
Jones,  Samuel 
King,  William  Nephew 
King,  MacLeod 
Lathrop,  James  W. 
Lawton,  Edward  P. 
Ijittimore,  William 
Linvillc,  Henry  H. 
Marshall,  Theodore  B. 
Ma\',  William  H. 
Miller,  James 
Miller,  Thomas  R. 
Mills,  Enoch 
Mitchell,  Stephen  W. 
Morse,  Horace 
McDonald,  James  W. 
Norton,  John  R. 
O'Byrne,  James  L. 
Palmer,  Herbert  A. 
Prendergast,  Joseph  I. 
Pritchard,  William  R. 
Richmond,  Henry  A. 
Sanchez,  Bernardino  S. 
Scranton,  Henry  H. 
Sheftall,  Mordecai  G. 
Sims,  Frederick  W. 
Stibbs,  Henry 
Tildcn,  Barnard  G. 
Treanor,  Michael  D. 
Warner,  William 
Washburn,  Joseph  Jr. 
Washburn,  Henry  K. 
Webb,  GWorge  S. 
Willington,  George 
Zeiglcr,  Solomon 
Zeigler,  William 


OF   THE   CHATHAM    ARTILLERY. 


65 


Baldwin,  Daniel  H. 
Buker,  Edward  W. 


•Eittnpt  iHtmbers. 

Cope,  George  L. 
Buckner,  James  H. 
Lovell,  Edward 


Boifeuillet,  John  T. 


Slbstnt  ^tmbtts. 

Dunning,  William  H. 


jllonorars 

Welman,  Francis  H. 
Bond,  Samuel  M. 
Williams,  William  Thome 
Xicoll,  John  C. 
King,  Charles  M. 
Jones,  James  M. 
Mallery,  John 
Box,  Thomas  N. 
Duncan,  William 
Wright,  Allen  R. 
Sorrel,  Francis 
Gallic,  John  B. 
Low,  Andrew 
Ward,  John  E. 
McHenry,  James 
Cunningham,  John 
Meroer,  Hugh  W. 
Wilder,  John  R. 
Locke,  Joseph  L. 
Sjrmons,  William  R. 


fiSLtmittB. 

Washburn,  Joseph 
Beals,  Joseph  A. 
Luce,  Alonzo  B. 
Hager,  Elisha 
McCleskey,  George  A. 
Henry,  Albert  G. 
Camp,  Daniel  B. 
Lama,  John 
Parsons,  Elisha 
Ash,  Charles  B. 
Tufts,  Martin 
Bulloch,  William  G. 
Hone,  William 
Barrie,  Claudius  E. 
Mooney,  Martin  D. 
Cuyler,  Richard  R. 
Buckner,  Milton  J. 
Wetter,  Augustus  P. 
Lincoln,  William  W. 
Maddox,  Thomas  A. 


Cass,  Michael  L. 


.;:s^!5 


4 


I 


